Botox may soon be used to treat psychological depression. We know that it can help alleviate the symptoms of migraines in many.

Dr. Randal Haworth Beverly Hills is an expert specialist in facial plastic surgery including maintenance therapy through fillers and paralytic agents such as Botox®, Dysport® and Xeomen®.

Botulinum toxin A seems to do far more than just block the transmission of acetylcholine (the neurotransmitter chemical released from nerve endings to affect change in muscle, glands etc.).

There is new evidence to suggest that Botulinum toxin type A can be used to treat depression which was first reported in 2006 by two American doctors (Finzi E, Wasserman E “treatment of depression with botulinum toxin A: a case series, Dermatol Surg 2006; 32 (five): 645-649). Based on this small study, a much larger study with careful patient assessment has shown that a single treatment of the glabellar lines (the dreaded “11” frown lines) with botulinum toxin resulted in a significant and sustained benefit for depressed patients (Wollmer MA, de Boer C, Kalak N, et al. “facing depression with botulinum toxin: a randomized controlled trial,” Journal of psychiatric research May 2012; 46 (five): 574-581).

Therefore, one can conclude that Botox®, through control of facial expression, seems to have the ability to control patient mood. However, is this an effect of increased self-confidence on the patient’s part or is this a result of hormone or regulatory peptide secretion as well?

Who knows at this time, but this is intriguing nonetheless. Dr. Haworth of Beverly Hills, however, is still not offering this treatment for depression even though many do say that aesthetic plastic surgery can be surgical psychiatry when performed in properly selected patients! Is this why there are so many ostensibly happy people in Beverly Hills and and its environs? 😉

For further information click on this link to body language.net