Tuesday 27 September 2022 12:35 PM Botox 'may banish the blues' trends now
Botox fanatics rave about its wrinkle-busting properties.
But researchers believe the injections might have another benefit — warding off the blues.
And it's not just depression. German scientists think it might also help patients with borderline personality disorder, who often suffer from depression.
Botox works by relaxing the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.
Researchers say these effects, which last for three months, are responsible for any mental health benefits.
Preventing people from frowning — by freezing forehead muscles needed to do so — stops recipients from experiencing negative moods as intensely, according to their theory.
The team at Hannover Medical School said Botox 'could have a role' in treating mental illness.
Dr Axel Wollmer, a psychiatrist at Semmelweis University and senior study author, told The Telegraph: 'The World Health Organization estimates that the number of people suffering from depression is approximately 280million.
'Established treatments such as psychotherapy or antidepressants don't work sufficiently for about one third of the patients so there is a need to develop novel treatment options, and this is where [Botox] injections could have a role.'
Botox, which lasts three to four months, works by relaxing the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles. Researchers say its ability to stop people from frowning — by freezing the forehead muscles needed to do so — stops recipients from experiencing negative moods as intensely
