Botox jabs could treat severe depression?

New study shows that the cosmetic treatment can dramatically improve the symptoms of severe depression in more than a quarter of patients.

According to the study conducted by Dr Eric Finzi, medical director at the Chevy Chase Cosmetic Centre, in Maryland, physical expressions of emotion influence our feelings.

Finzi believes that smoothing out frown lines using Botox can actually improve the mood of people with clinical depression, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

He notes that his latest research shows that forcing a frown can cause a depressed mood, while deliberately smiling can temporarily increase happiness.

This is the second of Finzi's studies which comes to this conclusion.

He first proposed the theory that by preventing frowning, the toxin is interrupting signals to the brain that indicate the body is under stress or cannot cope.

Finzi worked with 84 people with severe depression that lasted for an average of two years and which had not fully responded to treatment with antidepressants.

All the patients received either Botox treatment to smooth out frown lines, or a placebo injection into the same facial region. They were then assessed three and six weeks later.

AS many as 27 per cent of those receiving Botox reported nearly complete remission of their depression compared to just 7 per cent of those who received the placebo.

"This trial shows that inhibition of frowning can lead to remission in depression," Finzi said.

Botox is a well-known cosmetic treatment for age-related wrinkles around the eyes and forehead, the report said.

The powerful toxin, however, also has a wide range of medical applications, and is used to treat stroke victims' muscle spasms, can ease migraine and even helps people with Parkinson's disease control their movements, it said.

ALSO READ

Mangoes are good for health, but don't eat too many

Sunshine could benefit health and prolong life: study

Now, 'vampire treatment' to cure baldness

Sex 'superbug' may be more infectious than AIDS