Hyper-popular in aesthetic medicine to reduce facial wrinkles, Botox® could have other uses: thus, according to a recent study published by the University of California, San Diego (in the US), botulinum toxin injections may also help reduce symptoms of depression…
Science fiction? Not at all, answer the American researchers who worked from 40,000 medical reports of side effects that occurred in patients who received Botox® injections. They found that patients treated with botulinum toxin (mainly for cosmetic reasons) had, on average, a 40% to 80% lower risk of developing depression.
Botox would be effective against the symptoms of depression
How to explain this surprising “side effect”? “We believe that reducing forehead wrinkles could “block” a mechanism that reinforces negative emotions” explain the scientists. Another possible hypothesis: the botulinum toxin could be transported to the central nervous system and act directly on the areas responsible for mood and emotions. “Further research is obviously needed.“conclude the researchers.
Depression is a widespread disease since theInserm estimates that 1 in 5 French people will suffer from it during their lifetime. At present, this pathology is treated with the help of drugs (these are the famous antidepressants) and psychotherapies (cognitive and behavioral therapies, for example, give good results). Still according to Inserm, the treatments are effective in about 70% of cases… provided that the depression is taken care of as soon as possible!
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