Sayer Ji – Millions around the world have, and no doubt will continue to receive Botox injections, but this increasingly popular ‘beauty’ strategy has a dark side: it doesn’t only deaden facial nerves and muscles; it may also alter human cognition, emotion, and possibly empathy as well.

Botox is a strange creature. Currently the only FDA-approved treatment to “temporarily make moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines look better in adults,” it carries with it stern warnings about serious, even life-threatening side effects, as posted on its manufacturer Allergan’s website:

• Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.

• Spread of toxin effects.The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, and trouble swallowing. Continue reading →