Word: mood
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...tempestuous crowds like this one have been banding together on London's street for years - securing the freedom of prisoners in the 17th century, protesting the lack of rights for women in the early 1900s and railing against an unpopular tax just under two decades ago. As always, the mood today was mercurial. Organizers of the gathering, a movement calling itself G-20 Meltdown, had promised a "peaceful and fun street party." For much of the protest, that's what they got. While anarchists, many dressed from head to toe in black, threw paint at the bank and beer cans...
...paralyzing the facial muscles used for frowning, Botulinum Toxin A - or Botox - prevents people from physically displaying expressions of negative emotion. Building on previous research that suggests facial expressions not only reflect but influence mood levels, the new study hypothesizes that Botox may lighten people's moods by literally wiping the frowns off their faces. (Read "The Year in Medicine 2008: From...
...lower on measures of depression, anxiety and irritability," explains Michael Lewis, a psychology professor at the University of Cardiff and lead author of the study. "Crucially, there was no significant difference in how much their treatment made them feel attractive from those who had other treatments, suggesting that [the mood boost] wasn't just down to a boost in self-confidence." (See pictures of facial yoga...
...While the cosmetic industry did not fund Lewis' study, it will probably get a boost from his new Botox research. The industry has already shown interest in promoting Botox as a mood enhancer: "I have noted frequently that my patients who receive Botox seem happier," Joel Schlessinger, then president-elect of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery and president of LovelySkin.com, said in 2006. And Botox has already proved to be somewhat of a wonder drug in its wide application: studies have shown it to be an effective treatment for enlarged prostates, migraines, excessive sweating, writer...
...Lewis warns that his and Finzi's studies both examined small sample groups, so it would be premature, he says, to consider Botox injections - at around $400 each - purely on the basis of their potential for mood enhancement. "The problem is that Botox paralyzes muscles used for communication - even if it is negative communication - so it's difficult to predict the full consequences," he says. "But certainly the research suggests possible treatments." And that, at least, could be something to smile about...