Welcome.

For those out there visiting our website who want to learn more about the dark side of botulinum toxin, we recommend listening to the guest appearance Gretch Elizabeth of Never Tox completed February 2, 2023 with board certified Holistic Women's Health providers Dr. Michele and Kate, of She Health. She packed an intense amount of information into a 14-minute "chalk talk."

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*If you like this sort of thing, we have many other podcasts/appearances you may view under, Media.

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Introduction and Background (0:00 - 2:36)

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Gretch, the speaker, introduces herself and explains her role as an Admin for a Facebook support group dedicated to people suffering from Botox side effects. She has been involved in this community for several years, starting as a moderator before transitioning into an administrative role. Her primary focus is education, which aligns with her professional background, and advocacy for individuals negatively affected by Botox and similar neurotoxic protein-based products such as Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Daxxify.

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She also manages an awareness campaign through her Instagram page, @Nevertox where she helps individuals connect the dots between their health issues and Botox injections. Additionally, she aims to inform prospective users about the potential risks that may not be fully disclosed by providers. 

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Gretch argues that the dominant industry narrative portrays Botox as entirely safe, but her experiences and the rapidly growing support group of 25,000 members (Feb. 2023) suggest otherwise.

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Her personal motivation for joining this movement stems from her sister’s severe reaction to a single Botox injection in 2016. The sisters embarked on a journey to understand the impact of botulinum toxin on the body, which led Gretch to her current role as an advocate and educator.

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The Dark Side of Botox and Its Risks (2:36 - 6:04)

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Gretch transitions into discussing the dangers of Botox, emphasizing that she has studied its effects extensively and has firsthand knowledge through working with sufferers. She explains that botulinum toxin A, the active ingredient in Botox and similar products, is the same neurotoxin responsible for botulism, a potentially fatal condition. While therapeutic and cosmetic Botox uses involve small doses, she asserts that even these amounts can cause significant harm.

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One of the most critical warnings about Botox is its black box warning label, the strictest warning the FDA places on a drug due to the potential for severe or fatal consequences. The official medication guide explicitly states that botulism can result from using Botox. Many individuals she works with have either experienced systemic reactions, such as immune responses or widespread symptoms, or development of clinical botulism, which happened to her sister.

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She further explains that a major concern is Botox’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which was initially thought impossible when Botox was first approved in 1989. However, research in the early 2000s disproved this assumption. Due to numerous cases of severe reactions and fatalities, a black box warning was added in 2009 following lawsuits and regulatory action.

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How the Toxin Spreads and Individual Variability (6:04 - 9:00)

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Gretch addresses a common question: How does the toxin spread in the body? She outlines multiple ways this can happen, including:

• Leakage from the injection site – If the injected muscle cannot contain the toxin, it can enter the bloodstream.
• Crossing into the central nervous system – Because botulinum toxin is one of the most lethal neurotoxins known to science, even a minuscule amount outside the intended area can cause widespread harm.

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She also highlights the unpredictability of Botox reactions, emphasizing that each person’s body reacts differently based on genetic makeup, medical history, and previous exposure. Some individuals can undergo multiple Botox treatments without issue, while others, like her sister, experience severe symptoms after just one session. Alarmingly, even people who have had many successful Botox treatments can suddenly develop botulism-like symptoms after repeated exposure, reinforcing the need for informed consent — something she believes is lacking in the industry.

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Providers often present Botox as a completely safe procedure, with patients signing waivers that downplay the risks. Many patients do not thoroughly read or understand these warnings, nor do they receive adequate consultation to grasp the true potential dangers.

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Muscle Atrophy, Nerve Damage, and Long-Term Consequences (9:01 - 12:15)

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Gretch explains a lesser-known effect of Botox: muscle atrophy. Botox works by paralyzing muscles, preventing them from contracting by blocking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is responsible for muscle movement. When Botox is injected, the nerve is impacted, and the muscle loses its ability to function. The restoration of movement depends on whether the body successfully sprouts new nerves to compensate, but this process does not always occur consistently.

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Long-term Botox users may experience severe muscle atrophy and facial disfigurement if their body is unable to regenerate these nerve connections. Additionally, as muscles weaken over time, Botox may start to spread beyond the intended area, increasing the risk of unintended paralysis. This self-perpetuating issue leads to a heightened risk of complications with continued use.

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Interestingly, the official Botox medication guide lists muscle atrophy as a contraindication, meaning that individuals with atrophied muscles should not receive further injections. However, this crucial warning is often overlooked.

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She also mentions other contraindications, such as pre-existing autoimmune disorders, certain medications, and other health conditions that may put individuals at greater risk. She argues that prospective users should carefully evaluate these factors with their doctors before deciding to proceed.

From her perspective, the lethality of botulinum toxin alone makes Botox an unjustifiable risk. The toxin is so potent that it must be measured in nanograms (one-millionth of a milligram), reinforcing just how toxic it truly is.

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Audience Reaction and Additional Discussion (12:16 - 13:26)

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The discussion briefly shifts to audience reactions, with one person expressing shock upon learning that Botox does not simply "wear off" but actually destroys nerve tissue. They had previously believed that the effects faded over time rather than understanding the underlying biological process.

Another participant highlights a marketing deception — companies promoting “organic” or “natural” versions of Botox-like products. They point out that just because something is labeled as “organic” does not mean it is non-toxic, a sentiment Gretch wholeheartedly agrees with. Having worked in the beauty industry for years, she acknowledges the power of marketing in shaping public perception and sees it as a key reason why the industry falsely presents Botox as risk-free.

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As the discussion continues, Gretch prepares to expand on how the Botox industry has crafted this narrative of safety, misleading both providers and consumers alike.