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Frownout

Once or twice a year I get depressed and go away for a while. I just got back two weeks ago, in fact. Can't recommend it.

Sucky as it is, I'm no fan of medication. First, I don't like taking pharmaceuticals for things I can solve other ways. Second, depression is so poorly understood that drugs are a well-meaning crapshoot. Some mix might work, or make things worse, or be ineffectual. It'll definitely have side effects, though! Third, a surprisingly large number of studies have shown antidepressants to be no more effective than placebos.

I'll take my misery straight, thanks.

However, I am intrigued by news of a study on Botox as an antidepressant.

School's In: Botulin toxin is a neurotoxin, commercially available as "Botox." It is infrequently used in chemical warfare, but common as a cosmetic treatment. While oh-so bad in your stomach, in your face it prevents muscles from contracting for four to six months, eliminating unsightly lines, somehow combining popularity and creepiness.

This statistically insignificent study used Botox on people who were depressed, but not looking for cosmetic effect. From le article:

The pilot study of 10 patients is the first to provide empirical support for what a number of clinicians say they have noticed anecdotally: People who get their furrowed brows eliminated with Botox (botulinum toxin A) often report an improvement in mood.


Basically, an inability to furrow your brow stunts emotions related to brow-furrowing.

I have read hypotheses about body-mind connection say expressions affect mood just as mood affects expressions. For instance, smiling makes you feel better, and sitting up straight makes you more alert. This is the first time I've seen somebody brandish some science about it though. (Although Dr. Finzi is rightfully circumspect about suggesting such a thing.)

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