Botox makes you happier because it stops you frowning

Frowning when sad actually makes you feel more unhappy, research into the beauty treatment Botox suggests.


The anti-wrinkle drug can make people feel better because it stops them frowning when they are unhappy which feeds back to the brain reducing the intensity of the feeling.

The theory is that if they cannot physically frown then the brain feels there may be less to frown about, scientists claim.


They said it is the psychological equivalent of the old song "when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you" – or when you don't frown, then the world is less sad.

It applies even if the reason for seeming happy is an injection of chemicals into the forehead to stop wrinkles, said the study by the US Association for Psychological Science.

Many celebrities have the shiny forehead and startled rabbit look that suggests they have had Botox treatments, though not all admit it.

read more