Does Botox Prevent Emotional Highs and Lows?

Posted on June 23, 2010 in Business/Law, Health & Medicine, Recent Studies, Women's Health

According to a new study, Botox injections appear to significantly decrease a person’s emotional response. The study, which was published in the June issue of the journal Emotion, monitored participants responses to highly emotional videos before and after they were injected with Botox and Restylane. The researchers found that participants had a significant decrease in emotional response after receiving Botox injections, however Restylane appeared to have no effect.

Researchers believe that facial expressions may influence emotional responses. It is believed that the brain uses facial responses as a feedback mechanism for emotional responses. If facial movements are restricted the less feedback the brain receives and less emotional response the person feels. Botox injects in the face prevent facial movements because the drug paralyzes muscles that are responsible for creating wrinkles.

In recent years, Botox has subject to regulatory and legal scrutiny after the FDA warned that the primary ingredient in Botox, botulinium A, can migrate away from the injection site and cause damage to muscles in other areas of the body. Botox is marketed and manufactured by Allergan, Inc. of Irvine, California. Last month, a jury in Oklahoma awarded a $15 million verdict against Allergan on behalf of a physician who suffered botulism poisoning after receiving Botox injections.