Botox is said to help against depression

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Botulinum toxin is effective against depression. What seems like an exaggerated advertisement for a beauty practice needs scientific justification. Botulinum toxin (BTX), also known as Botox, is often used in cosmetic surgery to remove age-induced wrinkles. Besides the cosmetic effect, the neurotoxin also has an effect on the patient’s emotions: they feel good and relaxed. This side effect will now be used to treat people with borderline symptoms. To understand how the active ingredient can affect the emotions, it is first necessary to explain how botulinum toxin works: when injected into the skin, the agent pushes itself between nerves and muscles, breaking their connection. Like electricity cut off, the nerve can no longer send signals to the muscle. Thus, the muscle becomes paralyzed and the wrinkles on the skin relax: the skin becomes smooth. This possibility should be used to initiate radio silence between the nerves and the part of the brain that processes emotion. For this reason, strong emotions must be suppressed and depressions must be combated. Tillmann Krüger, who studies the effect of botulinum toxin at the Hannover Medical School, told the German “Tagesschau”: “You can replace positive emotions with Botox or fillers.”

Mice were also tested

Researchers in America have found evidence that neurotoxin can affect emotions in the brain. Neuroscientists at the University of California have studied the brains of people who have been injected into their faces. Researchers repeatedly saw activity in the part of the brain that processes emotions. According to “Tagesschau,” however, the study was co-funded by the botulinum toxin-producing company Allegra. Another study found that wrinkle filler injected into lab rats reduced their depression. It is also not clear whether this is due to changing facial expressions or because the botulinum toxin travels a shorter distance through nerve cells.

However, interpretations of the studies should be approached with caution, as it is not clear whether botulinum toxin can cross over to other parts of the brain and cause irreparable damage, and whether nerve-wracking can actually alleviate depression. What is certain is that Botox affects the processing of emotions in the brain. Doctors and experts always warn against overuse of the botulinum toxin component. Therefore, the active ingredient should only be injected by a doctor and the dose should be adjusted accordingly. Botulinum toxin is lethal in just 1 nanoliter (1 millionth of a milliliter) when taken orally.

Source : Blick