Botulinum and Pain Relief

Abstract

While the term "neurotoxins" inherently has a connotation of harm and danger, their targeting mechanism plays an important
role in pain relief. This paper takes a deeper look into a major neurotoxin - botulinum, one of the most poisonous chemical compounds. By blocking acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that facilitates communication between nerve endings and smooth muscle, botulinum has found popularity for cosmetic usage but more importantly muscle pain relief. However, new research has shown that it may be able to affect other neurotransmitters to provide a more direct effect.