A common complaint about wrinkle-masking Botox is that recipients have difficulty displaying emotions on their faces. That side effect might be a good thing, however, for people with treatment-resistant depression.

In the first randomized, controlled study on the effect of botulinum toxin—known commercially as Botox—on depression, researchers investigated whether it might aid patients with major depressive disorder who had not responded to antidepressant medications. Participants in the treatment group were given a single dose (consisting of five injections) of botulinum toxin in the area of the face between and just above the eyebrows, whereas the control group was given placebo injections. Depressive symptoms in the treatment group decreased 47 percent after six weeks, an improvement that remained through the 16-week study period. The placebo group had a 9 percent reduction in symptoms. The findings appeared in May in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

Study author M. Axel Wollmer, a psychiatrist at the University of Basel in Switzerland, believes the treatment “interrupts feedback from the facial musculature to the brain, which may be involved in the development and maintenance of negative emotions.” Past studies have shown that Botox impairs people's ability to identify others' feelings, and the new finding adds more evidence: the muscles of the face are instrumental for identifying and experiencing emotions, not just communicating them.

This article was originally published with the title Botox Fights Depression.

10 Comments

1. 1. rock johny in reply to vulvox 07:20 PM 10/1/12

   It didn't list any symptoms.

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2. 2. DrRhysBranman 10:35 AM 10/2/12

   I do not believe the authors of the study are suggesting Botox as a treatment for depression just yet. The FDA approves drugs for usage after a very long period of clinical trials and many more studies. However, Botox has a history of medical uses – and hopefully a helpful future.
   
   • Henry Winkler is endorsing Botox to improve Upper Limb Spasticity, which can occur after a stroke such as his mother had.
   • A study was published in a British medical journal that stated Botox can have a lasting impact on incontinence caused by overactive bladder syndrome.
   • Botox is being used for tooth grinding or clenching (bruxism), TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), and even excess salivation.
   • Botox has also been found helpful for migraine headaches. Research showed that during a migraine attack, the muscles in the forehead, temples and the back of the head contract.
   • In the late 1980s the FDA approved Botox for use in the syndromes of blepharospasm (uncontrolled blinking) and strabismus (lazy eye).
   • Botox is now being used for the treatment of excessive perspiration.
   • Restless Leg Syndrome can be helped with Botox.
   • Botox is also being used for a certain type of neck spasm called cervical dystonia.
   • Botox is even being researched for possible use to help with asthma and obesity.
   
   Dr. Rhys Branman
   Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center
   

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3. 3. woodswoman1 09:35 PM 10/2/12

   Come on. I would assume that the brain's feelings of depression would send the message to the facial muscles to show the frowns and grimaces. The use of Botox to help cure depression is ridiculous. Ask any depressed victim.

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4. 4. workingonit 04:13 AM 10/3/12

   Well like my mother used to say, "Smile, you'll feel better." Body and mind are linked, and it's not just a one-way street. If your body language expresses depression, sadness, etc. you will tend to feel those emotions. Seems reasonable to me that if the muscles of the face are rendered incapable of expressing depressive states, a person would be somewhat less apt to experience depression.

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5. 5. PacRim Jim 12:55 PM 10/3/12

   Assigning percentages to feelings. Nonsense.

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6. 6. rebeccahirsch 11:22 PM 10/3/12

   The Botox probably helps with depression because it makes people feel better about their outward appearance. I do not believe that this is a good way to solve the issue of depression in people. Plus, Botox can becomes dangerous if used to often or not properly administered by a plastic surgeon. If anyone wants to read more about the effects that Botox has on the brain, then read this:
   
   http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/04/12/a-new-reason-to-frown.html
   

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7. 7. Jenai 12:32 AM 10/6/12

   Having suffered from depression for 40 years and finding NO relief from prescription drugs, I'm not as quick as some of you to dismiss this study. My face aches from decades of stress. I am giving myself botox for my upcoming birthday. I know that just a simple facial massage can make me feel better. I don't think you people really have any idea what real severe long term depression is like. The desperation and the YEARS of different drugs and counseling and the personal cost in time and money are enough to depress the average person.

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8. 8. Jenai 12:40 AM 10/6/12

   I wish I had added to my first post that depression can escalate to stress migranes and severe migranes like mine can leave lesions on the brain. Each of these HUNDREDS of scars can affect a different area of your body or behavior. I have had multiple areas loose feeling or control for weeks at a time. Most of the time, the brain can heal the damage and the symptoms go away and pop up somewhere else. My investigation of botox treatment also indicates that some migrane sufferers see a decreased number of headaches. I have monitored my migranes for years and I see a definate pattern of stress and powerlessness that triggers attacks. This is very similar to a panic attack. But panic attacks don't lead to brain damage. I hope some of you open up your minds to the possible benefits for those of us that have not had any relief from traditional drug therapy. And just in case you think I'm a freeloader, I work full time from home and I pay all this out of pocket. So it's no skin off your nose.

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9. 9. Sweet Brown in reply to vulvox 05:04 PM 10/9/12

   All I know is that I would stop being depressed if I could afford botox!!!

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10. 10. antonucci in reply to woodswoman1 09:32 PM 10/28/12

    
    
    I told my psychiatrist that the dr who helped me most with depression was my cosmetic surgeon.
    
    The main reason is that I'm paranoid about aging
    and before I was treated, every time I looked in the mirror, it was like getting a hard slap in the face.
    I saw an old man. Now I see a somewhat younger man and it's helped a lot.
    
    Similarly I've noticed that on average prettier people
    are happier - and it's not surprising to me since
    they have a demonstrated advantage in jobs and other
    areas of life, and I suspect also because they see smiling faces when they look at them on average.
    Obviously there are other effects too but these seem
    like big factors to me.
    
    Everyone I know says that I look "prettier."
    
    It sure seems I've had more intimate woman friends
    than before since I got "prettier."
    
    a physics prof.

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