Botox may alleviate depression according to a new study by Michael B Lewis PhD from the School of Psychology at Cardiff University, and Dr Patrick Bowler the Medical Director at Court House Clinic.

The theory is that, as Botox injections effectively freeze the muscles used for frowning, it is harder to look angry or upset. As the face cannot make these expressions it tricks the mind into thinking that it is in a good mood. Dr Bowler states “we now have proof that alongside the ‘feel good’ factor that a cosmetic treatment can provide, there are also psychological mechanisms at work that show treatments such as Botox that prevent frowning correlate with a more positive mood.”

I have heard that some psychologists suggest smiling, even when you are in a bad mood, in order to promote a more positive state of mind so I suppose this could work… though I remain sceptical!