$20 says you raised your eyebrows and opened your eyes before opening the comments to see how you felt

That tracks.

I’ve been getting Botox for migraines for over a decade and I mentioned to my neurologist how this seems to have impacted my personality. He was unsurprised.

When your face does things without your input, you might find yourself feeling angry or sad or something, and not actually know why. We have some pretty good mirror neurons that make us share physical signals with other people, and we take on their emotional state sometimes as a result.

13-some years ago I started getting Botox for migraines, and my neurologist is…. Thorough. He likes doing a bit extra for cosmetic reasons… not with me; I actively decline cosmetic injections, even when he asks about my lopsided expressions (nah dude, that’s just how I use my face -lopsided- and I genuinely like those use lines; they tell you who I am. I’m not trying to look young forever as my body degrades around me…). I need some of my expressions, like anger and confusion…

But I noticed after my deep forehead wrinkles faded (when I was 25… so not normal age stuff) that I’m just calmer in general without the full range of expressions. I don’t get flustered the way I used to. It’s like paralyzing my facial muscles dulled my response to things that would normally elicit a strong emotional response.

This is obviously anecdotal, but it really convinces me that emotions are as much about bodily response as actual response.

Look up Facial-Feedback Theory. Studies have shown that manipulating your expressions can modulate your emotions.

I just did it and it’s not exactly emotional, it’s like I get a little more aware for 30 seconds

If I keep them there long enough, the response becomes “my eyelids hurt and my eyes are drying out.”

Yeah, it creeps people the fuck out.