While Botox injections, which contain the botulinum toxin A, are related to the toxins that cause botulism, technically, no one receives “botulism” injections. Clostridium botulinum bacteria produce neurotoxins, and when these neurotoxins are ingested, they can result in a food poisoning condition that is known as botulism. When the related toxin is injected, however, it is known as a botulinum toxin A or Botox treatment. This type of injection can erase crow’s-feet wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes or wrinkles between the eyes, thereby giving a more youthful appearance. Unfortunately, the results of the injections last only three to eight months.

Some people wonder whether the injection of botulinum toxin A is dangerous, since it is so closely related to the botulism bacterium. The most severe symptom of the food poisoning manifestation of botulism is paralysis. If the chest muscles become paralyzed, for example, the victim may become unable to breathe. Botox injections work on a similar principle, wherein if the targeted part of your body is paralyzed, it can’t wrinkle. Botulinum toxins attach themselves to a person’s nerve endings, preventing acetylcholine (the neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contractions) from being released. Muscles are unable to receive signals to contract, so the wrinkles in the targeted area become relaxed and smooth. Though a Botox injection works by the same principle that makes botulism poisoning dangerous, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled Botox injections safe for medical and cosmetic use.

Aside from temporarily getting rid of wrinkles on the face, Botox injections are also used to treat blepharospasm, which is the involuntary spasmodic contraction of muscles surrounding the eye and controlling the eyelid. Botox can also help relieve cervical dystonia (abnormal tension in the neck) and strabismus (crossed eyes). All of these conditions are caused by involuntary muscle contractions, and Botox injections serve to reduce or eliminate these spasms. Botox injections are also used for excessive sweating, facial spasms, tremors of the head and neck, writer’s cramp and spasmodic dysphonia, which involves muscles of the larynx.