Episode Transcript
[00:00:05] You're listening to The Love Vox with psychotherapist Amynah Dharani.
[00:00:19] Happy Friday, everyone.
[00:00:21] Have you ever thought about how your facial expressions impact your understanding of emotions?
[00:00:29] It turns out that there's a fascinating connection between our own facial feedback and how we perceive other's emotions.
[00:00:38] I recently sat with a client in session and this client was sharing a sad event.
[00:00:44] However, during this session, I was having difficulty feeling connected with the individual.
[00:00:52] You see, as a psychodynamic psychotherapist, I want to connect with my clients on a much deeper emotional level to really feel what they're going through.
[00:01:03] And there are times that I find that to be difficult.
[00:01:07] In this specific situation, I identified that the client's words did not match the expression on their face, which was unemotional, and so a part of me was struggling to interpret the level of their grief.
[00:01:23] I had the words, but not the facial cues.
[00:01:27] Now, as a therapist, I know that such information can take me in different directions of questioning.
[00:01:33] But I did also know that the client had cosmetic treatment done and that it accounted for the taut features of the face.
[00:01:42] The concept in the psychological world known as embodied emotion perception suggests that our facial expressions actually play a crucial role in how we both convey and interpret feelings.
[00:01:56] Research has shown that beauty treatments such as Botox dampen our facial feedback.
[00:02:03] This understanding is not new. Plenty of memes have circulated on social media mocking the frozen Botox face.
[00:02:12] I wanted to know if this could be a good thing.
[00:02:16] Let's explore Botox.
[00:02:19] Botox was first used in the 1970s for treating the misalignment of the eyes and other muscular disorders. It wasn't until the late 1990s that it caught public attention when doctors noticed its surprising side effect. That was wrinkled reduction.
[00:02:40] Since then, Botox has exploded in popularity.
[00:02:45] According to recent statistics, millions of procedures are performed annually across the United States, and it's now routinely one of the most sought-after cosmetic treatments.
[00:02:57] The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported over 4 million Botox injections in 2022 alone, and there is now a cultural acceptance of aesthetic enhancement as part of self care among all genders.
[00:03:16] As a psychotherapist, my interest is in the impact on the mental wellbeing of individuals. And through my research, I came across a study by Professor Doctor Tillman Kruger and his team.
[00:03:32] Through their fascinating MRI studies, Professor Kruger and his researchers discovered that Botox injections could actually influence the emotional epicenter of the brain known as the amygdala.
[00:03:47] What is the amygdala?
[00:03:49] The amygdala is one of the most important areas of the brain when it comes to our emotional responses.
[00:03:56] It is a small, almond shaped cluster of nuclei located deep within the temporal lobe in the brain.
[00:04:05] This part of the brain plays a critical role in processing fear and other emotions.
[00:04:11] In essence, it could be thought of as the emotional control center of our brain.
[00:04:17] The science behind Professor Kruger's study is fascinating. When Botox is injected, it curbs the emotional fire originating from the amygdala.
[00:04:30] I can hardly emphasize enough how exciting the findings from Professor Kruger's team are.
[00:04:37] They've shown that within just four weeks of Botox treatment, patients can experience a noticeable reduction in symptoms, not only in terms of emotional responses, but also as evidenced by MRI imaging.
[00:04:51] It's like combining cosmetic treatment with mental health therapy, and the results are genuinely promising.
[00:04:57] Interestingly, in a comparison with a group that was treated with acupuncture, those who received Botox had better outcomes, not only in terms of feeling better, but also in confirmed changes in the brain visible on scans.
[00:05:13] This brings me to the big takeaway regarding Botox. While Botox is primarily recognized for its cosmetic benefits, the psychological implications may be an equally important aspect, yet to be fully appreciated.
[00:05:30] With promising research findings by Professor Kruger, Botox emerges as a potential therapy for conditions like depression and emotional dysregulation, signaling a new era for mental health treatment.
[00:05:46] And yet, separately, I'm left with a lingering question.
[00:05:51] How do we navigate our social world where our facial expressions are such powerful tools in interpreting the feelings of others?
[00:06:02] Every time we communicate with a smile or a puzzled frown, we contribute to a larger narrative that helps us connect or distance ourselves from one another.
[00:06:14] The implications of this research extend far beyond the confines of science.
[00:06:20] It makes me think of everyday social situations where misreading emotions can lead to misunderstandings.
[00:06:28] Imagine being in a conversation where one person's expression is masked due to perhaps excessive botox use, yet they may feel joy or sadness inside.
[00:06:40] Are we missing out on genuine connections because of the state of someone's facial feedback?
[00:06:47] I can't help but wonder if we should all be a little more aware of this feedback loop in our daily interactions.
[00:06:54] Perhaps instead of solely relying on what we see, we should consider how our expressions, and those of the people we communicate with, might be shaping our perceptions of their emotional states.
[00:07:07] Let me know what your thoughts and feelings are. If you'd like to learn about my private practice, you can go to thelifeinterrupted.com. in the meantime, please connect with The Love Vox on Facebook, Instagram and X. And if you'd like to contribute to the show, please visit the show's website, thelovevox.com, where you can leave voicemails that can be featured on the show, and you can also contribute to stories we are looking to feature. Until next time, stay passionate. Stay curious.
