New research suggests that Botox may be an effective treatment for depression. Depression is a common mental health condition marked by ongoing feelings of hopelessness and sadness. Many people use a combination of antidepressant medications and therapy to help manage their symptoms.
The study, publishing Dec. 21, 2021 in the journal Scientific Reports , found that people receiving Botox injections at four different sites — not just in the forehead — reported anxiety significantly less often than patients undergoing different treatments for the same conditions.
New medical research suggests Botox may help improve your mental health. Researchers at the University of California San Diego analyzed a Food and Drug Administration database of nearly 40,000 patients and found that anxiety levels among people who had Botox were 20 to 70% lower.
The mood-lifting effect of botulinum toxin therapy is probably mediated by the interruption of a proprioceptive feedback loop from the facial musculature to the emotional brain.
When we feel depressed, the activity of the muscles which cause these frown lines is increased. Hence, freezing these frowning muscles can often result in improved mood. Facial muscles directly influence brain activity, which may be why people who get Botox® feel happier than they did before the treatment.
Botox injections are noted primarily for the ability to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. They're also used to treat conditions such as neck spasms (cervical dystonia), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), an overactive bladder and lazy eye. Botox injections may also help prevent chronic migraines.
Botox is a neurotoxin that works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles in the treated area and does not have any effect on your energy levels.
Specifically, it is demonstrated that targeted injections of BTX into facial muscles can affect a person's mood in both positive and negative directions by treating either frown lines or laughter lines respectively.
The SGB injection should not be viewed as a cure for a mental health condition, but it can help to ease the symptoms associated with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. It is believed the effects of this PTSD breakthrough injection could potentially last for six months or longer.
Several RCTs suggest efficacy for depression
16,17 From a neurobiologic standpoint, facial botulinum toxin A (BTA) injections in rats were associated with increased serotonin and norepinephrine concentrations in the hypothalamus and striatum, respectively.
You should share your prescriptions with your BOTOX surgeon since BOTOX side effects can occur in those taking certain antibiotics, Alzheimer's drugs, anticoagulants, or medications for autoimmune disorders or irregular heartbeat. BOTOX is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
After the age of 35, it may be too late to benefit from the preventive capacity of Botox®, especially if you have a very expressive face or fair skin, are genetically predisposed, or have unhealthy lifestyle habits such as using tan beds, overexposing yourself in the sun, or smoking.
There are a number of patients who develop severe anxiety or depression after receiving facial cosmetic injections.
Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.
Three of the more common methods used in depression treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Often, a blended approach is used.
It is not surprising that Botox treatment had a significant effect on the perception of anger and surprise in the patients that were studied. Not only does Botox affect the way others perceive one's emotions but it can also impact the emotional experience of those who have received the injections.
A study recently published in Nature showed similar benefits for anxiety. Based on the theory that relaxing the facial muscles used to express negative emotions reduces the intensity of those emotions, the researchers decided to explore the connection between BoNT injections and anxiety.
This can affect how you feel, and how people respond to you. Simple injectable treatments like Botox and dermal fillers can be a quick, easy solution to improve these signs of tiredness, leaving you looking fresher and more alert, as if you've just come back from a good holiday.
Serious adverse effects after cosmetic use of botulinum toxin include dysphagia, muscle weakness, and allergic reactions [22, 23]. Dysphagia and muscle weakness are common symptoms of botulism.
One study of twins found long-term BOTOX use led to fewer and less severe wrinkles in the long run, effectively slowing the aging process. Should you decide to take a break from BOTOX, you can safely stop at any time and resume it at any time without adverse effects.
The results from Botox last anywhere between 2-6 months; the average result lasts about 3-4 months. Why does Botox eventually stop working? Your body makes new neurotransmitters all the time, so the “blocking” effect of Botox gradually wears off as these chemicals start circulating in your body again.
There's a common misconception that Botox makes you look older when it wears off. On the contrary, regular Botox treatments make you look younger even after the neurotoxin wears off.