Posted by zazenduck on June 9, 2006, at 10:11:09
Eric Finzi, MD, PhD, says the injections prevented the patients from frowning, which, in turn, helped to lift their depression.
"I think there is direct feedback between the facial frown muscles and the depression center of the brain," Finzi tells WebMD. "If you can prevent the negative signals that occur when someone frowns, the brain interprets this as meaning that things are better."
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=62042
This reminds me of the DBT distress tolerance lesson about half smiling in all situations. It was adapted from the Buddhist monk Thich Nach Hahn's teaching. Although the study was small and flawed I think it is an intriguing idea to look for evidence that it it actually works! I hope larger more controlles studies will be done. I think I prefer the half smiling meditation to Botox injections personally :-} (half-smiling of course).
poster:zazenduck
thread:654814
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060604/msgs/654814.html