Botox is one of the first procedures most people think of when they think of plastic surgery. And for good reason: Botox is an incredibly effective, safe, quick, and non-invasive procedure. Most people know that Botox injections can reduce wrinkles. But did you know that it actually has several other uses, including potentially improving depression and anxiety?
According to a recent study, Botox has been shown to decrease anxiety and depression in as many as 50 to 60 percent of patients. And the researchers don’t think it has anything to do with looking younger. Their research has found evidence that Botox reduces these negative feelings because facial expressions are a part of the circuit of the brain that affects mood. Negative emotions like anger, sadness, and fear often cause the brow to furrow; Botox treatments in this area inhibit this movement. The research conducted found that having this outward expression of negative feelings dampened by Botox actually calms down the emotions themselves. Patients in the study reported a noticeable reduction in their negative feelings just from a few simple Botox injections.
The mind and body are connected in ways that scientists are still working to understand. The makers of Botox have ordered further research to be conducted so the scientific community can better understand the positive impact that Botox could have on your mood. These new studies will also evaluate whether or not Botox could be effective at treating social anxiety and bipolar disorder.
These new studies show some exciting prospects for new uses of Botox in the future. But this is not the first time additional uses for Botox have been found. Botox injections have already proved to be a multi purpose treatment that can be used for much more than just reducing the appearance of fine lines on the face. In addition to being FDA approved for cosmetic use, Botox is FDA approved to help reduce excess sweating, prevent chronic migraine headaches, prevent urinary incontinence, and relax muscles to aid in treating TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).
This new research into Botox’s positive effect on mental health is an exciting development. We can’t wait to see the results of the rest of this research and learn what else Botox can do for our clients.
All Botox procedures are performed by Dr. Zadeh himself. If you’re interested in trying Botox start by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Zadeh. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about Botox or any of our other procedures.