Study says Botox can dull emotions and facial expressions

A controversial study has been completed that states the use of Botox to treat facial wrinkles loose the ability to feel some emotions. The study has stated that the paralyzing effects of the Botox injections prevent people from fully expressing their emotions and this creates the inability to fully experience those emotions.

The test performed tracked the reaction of people to an emotional video clip and how they facially expressed their emotion from that clip. Botox recipients showed less emotion than their counterparts, giving the scientists room to determine that they were incapable of fully showing that emotion. They further went on to state that the persons inability to show these emotions will have a direct effect on how others perceive them in a stressful situation.

The makers of Botox have stated this is a biased test. What the published account of the test failed to show was that these same test participants had little emotional reaction to these clips prior to the treatment. This, they say, shows that the test is failed and proves nothing other than the clips shown did little to invoke any type of response, regardless of treatment.

Facial responses are often used by other people to determine an outcome of a situation. Perceived anger, disgust, fear or other emotions are gauged from a person’s expression. If a person does not portray any facial expressions it could be hard for them to interact with other people. Further research is needed to determine if the Botox injects do indeed cause loss of facial response or if the first study was biased.