Botox is a purified protein obtained from bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. When injected into the muscle it temporarily blocks transmission of the impulses from the nerve endings to the muscles making the muscle unable to contract and form wrinkles on the skin. It is not a muscle toxin. It is an inhibitor of impulse transmission from the nerve to the muscle. It has a very impressive safety record with over 3 million injections performed a year in US only.