So you thought botox was just an extreme treatment reserved for those interested in freezing their facial muscles aye? Well think again, because researchers have come up with some evidence which suggests injecting your face with poison could be a sure fire way of brightening your day.
Bizarrely enough, it seems that because the treatment does not allow your forehead to form a frown, it is actually having an anti-depressant side effect, psychologists reported.
Researchers looked at the results of 25 people who took part in the study, whereby 12 of which received botulism toxin A shot into their foreheads, while the other 13 instead had fillers, peals or other cosmetic treatments.
Each person taking part then filled in a mood questionnaire two weeks after having the treatments.
The results revealed that those who had been injected with the botox treatment were having significantly decreased feelings of depression, anxiety and irritability in comparison to those who received the other treatments.
Dr Michael Lewis, from the University of Cardiff, led the team carrying the research and reported, “Both groups had had some form of cosmetic treatment, and there was no difference in how effective they thought their treatment had been, so this result is most likely due to the effects of botox specifically.”
Botox works by holding the facial muscles still, preventing you from frowning.
The results of the study add further evidence to an already much investigated theory that the expressions you have on your face can affect how you actually feel, Dr Lewis said.
By freezing the facial muscles, botox actually stops you from frowning - an emotion associated with negative emotion, and therefore the result is a seemingly lighter mood.
“This research may help the development of a new treatment for depressive illnesses,” said Dr Lewis, who presented the research at the British Psychological Society’s annual meeting in Brighton.
“Unlike other treatments for depression, which have significant negative side effects, the main side effect of a botox-based treatment would be a younger-looking face. But as the cosmetic effect of botox is temporary, so will be the emotional effect. As the effect of the botox wears off, one’s mood is likely to return to normal levels.”
