The use of the anti-wrinkle product Botox is said to help those feel better about themselves because they do not frown even when they are sad. This then feeds the idea back into their brains, and can help reduce the feeling of sadness. Theoretically, scientists claim that if a person can’t physically frown, the brain then feels as if there is nothing to be sad about- the equivalent of acting happy even if you are not, therefore tricking your brain into thinking you really are.

According to the study performed by the US Association for Psychological Science, it applies even for those who have received the Botox injection to stop wrinkles. These injections are a temporary solution that causes the paralysis of the muscles. It is done by tiny amounts of the toxin being injected into the muscles that are mainly responsible for frowning.

Research performed at the University of Wisconsin used 40 volunteers who allowed small doses of Botox to be injected into their foreheads. Afterward, the volunteers were asked to read from statements that ranged from happy, sad and angry, which they had already done before the treatment began. Those who received the treatment took more time to read off the more negative statements than before they had received their injections. David Havas, a researcher involved in the project, explained that while the time delay was small, it was significant, suggesting that a person’s brain can take longer processing the emotion found in the statement.

According to Mr. Havas, “There is an idea in psychology called the facial feedback hypothesis. Essentially, it says, when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you. It’s an old song, but it’s right. Actually, this study suggests the opposite: When you’re not frowning, the world seems less angry and less sad.”

Another Research professor, Mr. Arthur Glenberg, also discussed the study. “Normally, the brain would be sending signals to the periphery to frown, and the extent of the frown would be sent back to the brain”, he stated. “But here, that loop is disrupted, and the intensity of the emotion and of our ability to understand it when embodied in language is disrupted.”

It is important to be careful when you have Botox injections, because you may get the opposite effect. Botox injections in the bottom part of the face may prevent smiling, making a person feel sad, according to research done by Barnard College in New York