“Botox destroys the empathy center in your brain,” says Dr. Stephanie Rimka in a lecture filmed and posted on her Instagram account. The chiropractor, a neurofeedback specialist, says that due to the paralysis of the facial muscles, the patient experiences less empathy. According to her, it is scientifically proven.
A discussion begins on the social network (publication above), which is widely distributed on the Internet. In 2019, Dr. Rimka herself published a study on the ability to recognize emotions after an injection of botulinum toxin. But while the surgeon wishes to support her assertion, the study in question comes to a completely different conclusion: “The results indicate that the aesthetic use of botulinum toxin […] does not significantly affect the social expression of emotions.
Another user cites a 2011 study to support Dr. Rimka’s claims: Women with and without Botox treatment were asked to look at photos of human gazes and assign corresponding emotions to them. The group without Botox had better results.
A study, carried out in 2019, ensures that the facial expressions of others can influence our emotions. Botox can impact this experience, but the effect would be relatively subtle and dependent on the situation.
In 2021, research indicated that Botox did indeed have an influence on the brain. But in this case, the effect of botulinum toxin was being studied in the treatment of depression and not empathy. Study subjects treated with Botox showed greater improvement in depressive symptoms than people who received a placebo. MRI scans showed that Botox influenced the so-called amygdala, a region of the brain responsible for processing emotions.
By comparing these different studies, we see that researchers do not yet completely agree with each other. It is also difficult to say to what extent the study results actually assess empathy. Because showing and recognizing emotions is still not quite enough to talk about empathy.
There is currently no scientific evidence or study regarding Dr. Rimka’s initial statement confirming that Botox destroys the empathy center in the brain. On the other hand, the specialist markets a line of cosmetic products supposed to reduce wrinkles without resorting to Botox. A test packet costs 100 francs.
