Tag Archives: management

Better Moods Through Botox—Injections Improve Anger Management

angry maleBotox may not just make you look good, but it can actually make you feel good, according to a study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Studies have shown that according to facial feedback hypothesis, Botox can help patients manage their anger and other negative emotions.

A University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student decided to study people who had been given Botox treatments that paralyzed one pair of their corrugator muscles. These muscles are the ones used in the forehead in order to frown. He used the idea of facial feedback hypothesis as his basis.

Facial feedback hypothesis states that a person can alter their mood simply by altering their expressions. For instance, someone who has had a bad day can feel better by smiling. Botox has been known to affect the ability of recipients to convey emotions like anger, and has also been known to help depression, according to a 2006 study done by the Society of Dermatologic Surgery.

During the study, 40 volunteers read statements designed to trigger two particular emotions: angry (“someone just cut you off on the freeway”), sad (“you just discovered that your favorite restaurant shut down”), or happy (“you just got an unexpected check in the mail”). The volunteers pushed a button to show they understood each sentence. Two weeks later, the volunteers got Botox injections for the first time. They then repeated the exercise, having been given another set of emotionally triggering sentences.

The happy sentences were responded to just as quickly as before, but it took the volunteers longer to respond to the angry or sad statements. The idea is that since Botox inhibits the ability to frown, the facial feedback is no longer there. As a result, the volunteers experienced a delay in their response to the statements.

The goal of the experiment was to examine how the comprehension of emotional language relies on physical expression, as well as brainpower. The research indicates the correlation between language, emotions and facial movements.

What appears to happen, is that the normal flow of signals to the brain is interrupted and the ability to appreciate the intensity of emotion when embedded in language. This disruption, maybe less than a second in duration, but this is enough in general conversation where participants are responding quickly to subtle, fast cues. A study at Northwestern University shows that the power of Botox to eliminate brow furrows and forehead creases actually adjusts our emotions to make us happier.

Facial feedback hypothesis is part of a growing field called “embodied cognition”. This field assumes that all cognitive processes are rooted in, and reflected in, the body. Studies in this field have shown that people lean forward when they talk about future events, for instance, but lean back when they discuss the past. When they hold a mug of hot coffee they judge others as warmer and friendlier than when they choose an iced latte. When they ponder their sins, they have an urge to wash.

So the next time you see those frown lines appearing, feel free to get Botox. You may find yourself in a better mood–and not just because you look fantastic. Epione Beverly Hills is a Black Diamond provider of Botox, an award bestowed by Allergan, Inc. on the top 1% of injectors. Epione offers private consultations to discuss Botox cost and our website is a good place to find Botox before and after photos. Botox side effects include injection site discomfort, tiredness, headache, and neck discomfort. Botox side effects may include ptosis or drooping eyelid.