According to a September 2021 study, injecting botulinum toxin into facial muscles like the frown muscles and others reduced depression after 12 weeks.
A study on the effects of certain injectables on the face on stress and mental health is ongoing.
Will Botox improve someone’s mood?
As it turns out, studies looking at the impact of botulinum toxin injections on anxiety and depression have shown promising outcomes. A study released in September 2021 found that injecting botulinum toxin into specific facial muscles (like the frown muscles) and other parts of the face reduced depression after 12 weeks, similar to how the antidepressant Zoloft works. In addition, those who received injections saw an early start in improving their mood.
Earlier this year, 715 patients suffering from severe migraines were the subjects of an uncontrolled experiment that looked at how botulinum toxin injections affected them. The result was published in March 2019. In addition to fewer headache days, most individuals reported other improvements, such as more occasional anxiety and depression symptoms, throughout the two-year study. The researchers found that even individuals with only a little reduction in headache frequency still had less depression and anxious feelings, which contradicts the idea that the mood changes were just a result of the pain reduction.
After receiving Botox injections into their forehead frown muscles for six weeks of treatment, individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) had 52% lower depression scores than those in the placebo group, which received saline injections, according to another randomized controlled study.
Considerations Related to the Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Some may think that injecting someone with Botox helps them feel better only by making them appear calmer, but that’s not necessarily the case. Charles Darwin (1872) was the first to introduce the concept of the facial feedback hypothesis (FFH), and William James (1884), among others, expanded this idea, which is likely related to the findings.
One of the Washington, DC, medical schools’ clinical professors of psychiatry said that the FHH claimed a reciprocal relationship existed between the expressions on one’s face and one’s internal emotional condition. This professor has researched how injections of botulinum toxin affect depression and anxiety. A clinical professor further stated that while sadness manifests on your face, a disturbed expression will reflect on your brain, intensifying your feelings. In summary, your facial expressions convey your internal feelings.
Botulinum toxin injections paralyze essential muscles in the forehead and brow, rendering frowning practically impossible. Theoretically, this means that the mind feels better and depression goes away because the face can’t convey negative emotions to the brain.
The Indirect Influence of Botox on Mood Enhancement
Interestingly, it may have beneficial repercussions for other people. The way other people react to you changes after you have botulinum toxin injections to smooth out your wrinkles, according to the results of a research paper released in September 2020. People’s negative sentiments are reduced. Florida’s director of clinical cosmetic research and the study’s primary author stressed the importance of being mindful of how one’s facial expressions and overall attitude impact one’s immediate environment. The impact is linked to the theory of embodied emotions, which explains that social interactions play a role in emotional contagion. For example, being in the company of scowling faces makes you feel terrible. You might find that you do the same if you’re around people enjoying themselves.
Some medical cosmetics professionals reported receiving testimonials from clients who experienced a slight decline in their anxious feelings and improved moods after receiving Botox procedures. Although most of these professionals stated that they had not found any theoretical ground or controlled study that supported such phenomena, they remain open to the plausibility of their experiences.
Mood enhancement isn’t the main reason most people get Botox injections, but it’s a nice side effect that some people experience, just like you. You aren’t experiencing constant joy at the moment. The frequency and severity of your anxious or stressed feelings have diminished, yet they are still there. Although there is some evidence that injectable face brands like Botox can alleviate the symptoms of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, the FDA has not yet authorized these products for this purpose.
The final verdict
Because Botox injections aren’t meant to be permanent for cosmetic purposes, the effects on mood won’t remain either. The typical duration of treatment is three to four months, and as the course progresses, some patients need fewer injections. When dealing with serious mental health concerns, it is essential to seek the guidance of a mental health expert. For this reason, the FDA has not authorized injectables; therefore, you should seek other evidence-supported procedures.
Healthcare professionals can learn all the ins and outs of the Botox injection technique through the Dentox program. With the training you receive from our program, you will be well-prepared to become an expert in this subspecialty of aesthetic medicine.
To enhance your knowledge and competence, inquire about our online course at https://dentox.com/all-courses/botox-training/. Please visit https://dentox.com/live-courses/ to learn more about our life-altering live patient training sessions and to save your spot if you are interested in this unparalleled opportunity.
