How Does Botox Impact the Nervous System & Emotional Regulation?

Today, we're talking about something that might surprise you—we’re going to talk about Botox.  If you're asking, “Why are we discussing Botox on a podcast focused on mental health?” Another centerpiece to this podcast is talking about ways to support, heal and regulation your nervous systems, in that it's important to consider how everything we do—including something as common as a Botox—could play a role. Today we'll talk about both the cosmetic & medical uses of Botox as we talk through it's benefits and it’s potential impact on your nervous system, brain, and emotional regulation (potentially of you and your kids). Hit play to learn more!

Here's the 3 takeaways:

1. Botox is a neurotoxin. It is used both medically & cosmetically. Most of the research show’s it’s more safe than not but that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks and side effects. Do you feel aligned with how or why you choose Botox? Does it improve that quality of your life in a way that outweighs potential costs?
2. Potential costs of botox include muscle atrophy, changes in brain activity, and emotional regulation - with potential implication for both you and your children’s emotional literacy.
3. Long-term effects of Botox are not fully understood.

Sources mentioned:

• Stark, S., Stark, C., Wong, B. et al. Modulation of amygdala activity for emotional faces due to botulinum toxin type A injections that prevent frowning. Sci Rep 13, 3333 (2023). 
• Davis JI, Senghas A, Brandt F, Ochsner KN. The effects of BOTOX injections on emotional experience. Emotion. 2010 Jun;10(3):433-40. doi: 10.1037/a0018690. PMID: 20515231; PMCID: PMC2880828.
• Weise D, Weise CM, Naumann M. Central Effects of Botulinum Neurotoxin-Evidence from Human Studies. Toxins (Basel). 2019 Jan 6;11(1):21. doi: 10.3390/toxins11010021. PMID: 30621330; PMCID: PMC6356587.
• BBC Article: Are there long-term health risks to using Botox?

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