April 2008 PMID 17684524

Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain.

P Humphries, E Pretorius, H Naudé

Mentions

80
Peak: 13 in Aug 2022
across 5 sources since Aug 2019

Extended reach

215,853
potential audience

Total likes

186

Video views

806

Mentions per month

Aug 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Facebook30 posts
  • X / Twitter23 posts
  • News15 articles
  • YouTube7 videos
  • Blogs5 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reveal a strong consensus that aspartame poses serious health risks, with posts mentioning scientific papers, links to neurological disorders, and historical political influence, all supported by urgent language and references to studies, which reinforce high interest and perceived impact.

AgreementStrong disagreement

Most discussions express strong concern or suspicion about the harmful effects of aspartame, indicating significant disagreement with industry claims of safety.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, with many referencing detailed research, potential health risks, and historical political connections, reflecting deep engagement.

EngagementHigh engagement

Discussions cite scientific studies, link to health issues like neurological damage and diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and debate regulatory implications, indicating active involvement.

ImpactHigh impact

The conversations suggest that awareness of these findings could influence public perception and policy, highlighting the potential societal impact of the research.

Abstract in brief

  • Aspartame is made up of phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol; these components can influence neurotransmitter regulation and excitatory processes in the brain, with methanol converting into toxic compounds.
  • Consumption of aspartame has been linked to neurological and behavioral issues such as headaches, insomnia, and seizures, potentially due to disruptions in brain catecholamine levels like norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine.
  • The study suggests that excessive intake of aspartame could contribute to the development of mental disorders and impair learning and emotional functions by affecting cellular processes in the brain.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Resia Pretorius
@resiapretorius · X

These sweeteners are DEFINITELY not harmless. See our paper in 2008 already: https://t.co/R9x7pJhz3g and again in 2012: https://t.co/ASiWEUPWWH on the impact of these products on both brain and gut microbiota. https://t.co/hEsoH5wF6T

Aug 22, 2022 · 33 likes · 7 shares · 28,309 followers View post →
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain https://t.co/vmtfzZbM6m

Jun 7, 2021 · 9 likes · 2 shares · 133,975 followers View post →
KumaTea
@KumaTea0 · X

@ShinoharaChizu @vonhyou 禁止乱讲

Jul 27, 2021 · 8 likes · 7,383 followers View post →
Billy Hanlon
@bhanlon15 · X

RT @resiapretorius: These sweeteners are DEFINITELY not harmless. See our paper in 2008 already: https://t.co/R9x7pJhz3g and again in 2012…

Aug 23, 2022 · 7 shares · 13,603 followers View post →
 龍
@PotusTodus · X

RT @Grimhood: Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain https://t.co/vmtfzZbM6m

Jan 25, 2022 · 2 shares · 7,041 followers View post →
ProfessingProfessor
@Professing_Prof · X

@Reuters Aspartame turns to formaldehyde in your brain. Yes. That is bad. Note that Donald Rumsfeld ran Searle when it was approved by FDA. Rumsfeld used his political connections to get it approved. Statements minimizing aspartame harm come from Coke & Pepsi https://t.co/xdBowlIb6A

Jun 30, 2023 · 5,771 followers View post →

All mentions

Jayne Kennedy
@JayneKenne45941 · X

Cancer with fat and salt cravings! A perfect mix

Jul 20, 2025 · 28 followers View post →
Fustbariclation
@fustbariclation · X

Is the Great Fart providing living proof of the affect that the aspartame in Diet Coke has on the brain? https://t.co/KCQuEEupxR @potus

Feb 3, 2025 · 2,150 followers View post →
XXRoseXX
@cherry0017x · X

@emilinhooooo @Vwadi007 Es geht hier nicht nur um Krebs… viel schlimmer sind die neurologischen Schäden https://t.co/6ieptmfcQt https://t.co/Qmx0mIxmb4

Jul 14, 2023 · 3,402 followers View post →
ProfessingProfessor
@Professing_Prof · X

@Reuters Aspartame turns to formaldehyde in your brain. Yes. That is bad. Note that Donald Rumsfeld ran Searle when it was approved by FDA. Rumsfeld used his political connections to get it approved. Statements minimizing aspartame harm come from Coke & Pepsi https://t.co/xdBowlIb6A

Jun 30, 2023 · 5,771 followers View post →
McOwl Who
@wubalubb · X

https://t.co/jLggIkkTYY

Feb 15, 2023 · 90 followers View post →
Melinda Eduardos
@MelindaEduardos · X

@elonmusk https://t.co/3oYa7eHIeG https://t.co/sowUYxSEC3

Jan 3, 2023 · 243 followers View post →
PolyD_
@Polyd_ · X

@NicerInPerson @allenf32 2 diet sodas a day increased the chances of cafdiovasculse disease by 30% in older women. https://t.co/ID8qQsYIV6 this one shows 43% https://t.co/91uhNaevVi alzheimer's https://t.co/57PJZFDAnq Parkinson's https://t.co/2YI4Ku75dW we can do this all day.

Nov 28, 2022 · 3,593 followers View post →
Bruce Allen
@BruceAl97473014 · X

@DavidGiglioCA @PoliticsVerse Diet drinks sweetened with aspartame can cause brain damage and right wing politics https://t.co/bZQTx4ntzK

Nov 6, 2022 · 2,281 followers View post →
Kelly L.Walters
@KellyLWalters1 · X

RT @resiapretorius: These sweeteners are DEFINITELY not harmless. See our paper in 2008 already: https://t.co/R9x7pJhz3g and again in 2012…

Aug 31, 2022 · 7 shares · 46 followers View post →
Karenn Hauser
@Hauserk1 · X

RT @resiapretorius: These sweeteners are DEFINITELY not harmless. See our paper in 2008 already: https://t.co/R9x7pJhz3g and again in 2012…

Aug 25, 2022 · 7 shares · 359 followers View post →
Billy Hanlon
@bhanlon15 · X

RT @resiapretorius: These sweeteners are DEFINITELY not harmless. See our paper in 2008 already: https://t.co/R9x7pJhz3g and again in 2012…

Aug 23, 2022 · 7 shares · 13,603 followers View post →
The Scritcher
@UnknownOutrider · X

RT @resiapretorius: These sweeteners are DEFINITELY not harmless. See our paper in 2008 already: https://t.co/R9x7pJhz3g and again in 2012…

Aug 22, 2022 · 7 shares · 1,409 followers View post →
Massimiliano
@Snipperspace · X

RT @resiapretorius: These sweeteners are DEFINITELY not harmless. See our paper in 2008 already: https://t.co/R9x7pJhz3g and again in 2012…

Aug 22, 2022 · 7 shares · 822 followers View post →
Zoe
@IBDSilleGrl · X

RT @resiapretorius: These sweeteners are DEFINITELY not harmless. See our paper in 2008 already: https://t.co/R9x7pJhz3g and again in 2012…

Aug 22, 2022 · 7 shares · 153 followers View post →
Resia Pretorius
@resiapretorius · X

These sweeteners are DEFINITELY not harmless. See our paper in 2008 already: https://t.co/R9x7pJhz3g and again in 2012: https://t.co/ASiWEUPWWH on the impact of these products on both brain and gut microbiota. https://t.co/hEsoH5wF6T

Aug 22, 2022 · 33 likes · 7 shares · 28,309 followers View post →
oskar
@oskarszot · X

@LukLed @KuFeL78 @Piechocinski Humphries, P., Pretorious, E., & Naude, H. 2008. Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain.

Apr 6, 2022 · 11 followers View post →
 龍
@PotusTodus · X

RT @Grimhood: Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain https://t.co/vmtfzZbM6m

Jan 25, 2022 · 2 shares · 7,041 followers View post →
Yasmin Abbaszadeh
@GratefulTurtle · X

Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain https://t.co/Pju7lliX1f

Sep 6, 2021 · 113 followers View post →
Susana Matias
@_susanamatias · X

@Mmacedo_tweets https://t.co/ZH4TXntgqZ Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain

Aug 19, 2021 · 123 followers View post →
KumaTea
@KumaTea0 · X

@ShinoharaChizu @vonhyou 禁止乱讲

Jul 27, 2021 · 8 likes · 7,383 followers View post →
corn juice cat
@s1lverspr1ngs · X

RT @Grimhood: Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain https://t.co/vmtfzZbM6m

Jun 7, 2021 · 2 shares · 545 followers View post →
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain https://t.co/vmtfzZbM6m

Jun 7, 2021 · 9 likes · 2 shares · 133,975 followers View post →
Ulrike Ade
@Quantensprung2 · X

Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain. - PubMed - NCBI https://t.co/HPkk7Zirko

Aug 6, 2019 · 3,491 followers View post →