Botulinum – Angel and Demon

One of the most lethal poison known to us is available almost everywhere… and there is probably someone around you that have already been in contact with it. Even you, maybe? As it is used… for Cosmetic purpose!

How one of the deadliest known poisons came to be the miraculous solution for wrinkles, is something that always amazes me.

The bacterium Clostridium botulinum would probably have interested only a few academics, would it not be for its ability to produce the botulinum toxic (BTX), and that it likes to grow in preserves that did not follow the right process.

After several deaths, it was established that this neurotoxic protein was to be blamed, and studies quickly shoed that it is arguably the most lethal toxin known… 60,000 times more than cyanide!

Of course it is under strict watch and surveillance for potential criminal use, or even terrorism. Remember the attack in Tokyo subway in the 1990s, by the Japanese sect Aum Shinrikyo? … Botulinum toxin in aerosol.

However, it is not all evil…

By acting on the nerve activation, it has been demonstrated that it can relax muscles locally; bringing tremendous relief for people suffering from muscle disorders such as blepharospasm, strabismus, and other spasmodic dysphonia… Although it has been an arduous journey to convince of the safety of injecting such deadly compound directly into a muscle.

Researches and experiment went on, until we finally crossed the small bridge between Drug and Cosmetic: In 1992, JD and JA Carruthers showed its positive effects on reducing wrinkles!

“Simple” injections would smooth wrinkle in just a few days and last for as long as 6 months. Almost a miracle… No wonder why botulinum toxin injections are the most common cosmetic operation in the US.

And we could even say it is the perfect cosmetic product: impressive result in short term, but still fades after some times, bringing the patient back… (I suspect it is almost addictive)

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