Botox May Affect Ability to Feel Emotions

According to findings published by the journal Emotions, Botox injections could reduce people’s ability to feel emotions. In 2009 Botox injections were the leading nonsurgical cosmetic procedure.

The Botox injections paralyze muscles that cause wrinkles. These muscles also control facial expressions, which become limited when the injections are made

Term assistant professor of the Dept. Of Psychology at Barnard College, Joshua Ian Davis, PhD, said the emotional experience is reduced when the part of the facial expression is taken away.

In the study some participants received Botox, while others received Restylane. To reduce wrinkles Restylane fills the folds and wrinkles of the face to restore volume, but it does not paralyze any muscles. Participants were shown video clips, and those given Botox did not have as much emotional response as those given Restylane. The emotional response only happened when mildly emotional clips were shown and those who received the Botox had the same response to the clips both before and after receiving the injections.

This study was set up to prove a hypothesis that implies that facial expressions affect a person’s emotional experience. Davis has said that more research is needed.

Others are saying not to read too much into the study. At the University of Illinois, clinical assistant professor of facial plastic surgery Steven H. Dayan, MD, feels that people who get the injections feel better about themselves.

The manufacture of Botox, Allergan, released an email stating that there is no medical evidence to support the theory that preventing facial expressions reduces emotional experiences.