In 1997 there was an increase in aspartame users reporting severe toxicity reactions and damage such as seizures, eye damage and vision loss, confusion, severe migraines, tremors, depression, anxiety attacks, insomnia, etc. Given the agreement amongst independent scientists about the toxicity of aspartame, the only question was whether the formaldehyde exposure from aspartame caused the toxicity. That question has now been largely answered because of research in the late 1990s.
Methanol quickly converts to formadehyde in the body.
Formaldehyde causes gradual and eventually severe damage to the neurological system, immune system and causes permanent genetic damage at extremely low doses. Methanol from alcoholic beverages and from fruit and juices does not convert to formaldehyde and cause damage because there are protective chemicals in these traditionally ingested beverages. Excitotoxic amino acids such as the one which is immediately released from aspartame likely increases the damage caused by the formaldehyde. This document details the research showing formaldehyde toxicity from aspartame and demonstrates the techniques the manufacturer used to help hide these facts. Finally, an updated discussion of formaldehyde dosage from aspartame has been added to answer questions raised by what appears to be a manufacturer public relations campaign.