Botox study finds patients less depressed

[Neil D]

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- A small U.S. study of wrinkle removing Botox found depressed patients who received the treatment were in a better mood after.

Dermatologist Eric Finzi said the study used patients who were depressed, not those looking for cosmetic changes.

He said the 10 patients were less depressed after receiving injections of the cosmetic form of botulinum toxin into facial muscles removing their capability to frown, the Washington Post reports.

Finzi said a larger study is needed to draw scientific conclusions but is so confident he has applied for a patent to use Botox for treating depression.

Alastair Carruthers, president-elect of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, said many clinicians have noticed similar results.

Paul Ekman, professor emeritus of psychology at University of California at San Francisco, said facial expressions may trigger an emotional response to the brain.

[:"blue"] hmmmmmm....get an injection of neurotoxin [aka botox] and become less depressed....something doesn't seem right.... <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> [/]

[Bravus]

Well you've heard the thing about 'smile and you'll feel happier': there's a link between our facial expressions and our emotions. Maybe if they can't express their depression they don't feel it?

[Neil D]

Um...I can bee less depressed if I died, too! <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I know, let's just all go to Oz and find that Red Belly Black snake and get a bite from that and let's all be less depressed! Sum how that logic just doesn't quite seem right, Bravus... <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />