Botox injections are usually seen as something that makes you look better and more youthful, but some recent research suggests that they can do more than just change your appearance. It appears that Botox can actually help lower levels of anxiety when it’s injected into the muscles surrounding the forehead and jaw, an area known as the frown lines or glabellar lines. In the study, patients receiving Botox experienced an average reduction in anxiety of 25%. That might not sound like much, but a 25% reduction in overall anxiety levels is huge!
The many uses of Botox
Although it’s primarily known for its use in cosmetic procedures, botulinum toxin—or Botox—is becoming an increasingly popular prescription drug. The neurotoxin, which is actually made from a type of bacteria, has been used to treat everything from chronic migraines to cervical dystonia (severe neck spasms), with new uses being found all the time. With so many doctors now prescribing botulinum toxin injections for a variety of disorders, researchers are taking a closer look at how effective and safe these treatments are—and if there really is any cause for concern when using neurotoxin treatments over long periods of time. A number of recent studies have examined patients who have received regular botulinum toxin injections and how they’re affected psychologically. One study, conducted by researchers from Duke University Medical Center and published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, analyzed 15 women who had received botulinum toxin injections between three and nine times per year for more than five years. The women were then compared to 15 women who had never had botulinum toxin treatment. At first glance, both groups appeared to be equally anxious about their physical appearance—but upon further examination, those who had regularly undergone injections displayed significantly lower levels of anxiety than those without prior experience with botulinum toxin treatment. These findings suggest that frequent doses of the neurotoxin may help reduce overall levels of anxiety by improving mood while also reducing emotional sensitivity towards others’ negative evaluations.
Botox Used for Treating Anxiety
Botox is most commonly known for its use in cosmetic surgery as a treatment for fine lines, wrinkles and excess facial expressions. However, a new study suggests that Botox may also be used to treat another common health condition—anxiety. The researchers behind this study focused on two patients who received Botox injections in a number of different areas on their faces, including around their eyes and mouth. According to the results of this study, both patients reported less anxiety after receiving these injections. The researchers believe that these findings show promise for Botox’s possible future use as an anxiety medication. For example, they say that Botox could potentially be used to help people with severe anxiety disorders reduce their symptoms. The researchers say they will continue studying Botox’s potential uses for treating other conditions like depression or chronic pain.
Can Botox be used to treat depression?
Some experts have suggested that Botox injections could also be used to treat mental illness. A 2014 study found a correlation between Botox and reduced levels of depression, prompting some researchers to suggest more research be done on treating mental illness with Botox. However, it is not yet possible to say with certainty whether or not there is a link between injecting Botox and reducing anxiety in patients. There has been very little research done on how effective it may be as an anti-anxiety treatment; however, early results look promising.
How Did They Conduct This Study?
The researchers looked at eighty patients diagnosed with moderate to severe facial frown lines. The participants received either a placebo or Botox injections, then they filled out a self-assessment form measuring their levels of anxiety and depression. After analyzing their findings, they concluded that those who received Botox reported significantly lower levels of depression and anxiety than those who did not. These results suggest that botulinum toxin may be an effective treatment option for patients suffering from these conditions, although further research is needed to confirm these initial findings.
It’s important to note that while these preliminary findings are promising, more evidence needs to be collected before any concrete conclusions can be drawn. Further testing is also needed because other studies have found that Botox injections actually cause psychological distress. Furthermore, as compared to placebo control groups, most people in both studies were rated as mildly improved by study raters instead of improved or very much improved . More testing will likely take place over time in order to find specific indications where Botox injections could prove beneficial and identify any possible negative side effects of receiving such treatments.
Bottom Line: How Botox Relieves Anxiety
Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are chemicals in your brain that help send signals from one neuron to another. Some neurotransmitters, like dopamine, inhibit your ability to feel anxious, while others make you feel excited and attentive. The research found that Botox can reduce levels of both dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain–two neurotransmitters associated with feelings of anxiety. Thus, researchers suggest, injections may be lowering stress by lowering levels of these neurotransmitters.
Content Writer: John Annunziata / The Remedy Health + Wellness
