Wow Pete it'll be interesting to see what your doctor says.
Della - thanks for pointing that out. I read that in another article too. I had never used artifical sweeteners before and never liked any diet pop but this one particular brand (I won't advertise for them) for some reason I really liked their diet product - hmmm I should see if they had more or less sweetener in it.
For those of you avoiding aspartame, I'd like to point out that it is in a lot more products besides sodas. I don't use sweeteners, because I prefer sugar.
When grocery shopping, I've seen it added in the flavored Half & Half Milks (Coffeemate and International Delights). It is used in a lot of the ready sweetened cereal, especially the brands that our children prefer. It is in the hot chocolate/cocoa.
I point this out not to scare, but to be aware.
Della from SC
Thanks for posting this, I would never even have thought but the exact time back in September that my panic attacks had started I had been using Splenda. I am going to mention this to my GP next time I am there. I havent used the splenda since then and havent had severe panic attacks since then. I do have lingering effects of anxiety though even though I am not and have not been using splenda since the severe attacks started.
I have a friend that is a toxicologist and she told me years ago to stay away from ANY artificial sweetener (including Splenda). She has done tons of research and says, " as bad as sugar is, it's nothing compared to what the artificial stuff is."
I know aspartame has been linked to a deprivation of seratonin, whether or not that is proved scientifically true, I'm not certain. My dad has bi polar (severe bi polar) and he drinks at least 10 cans of Diet Pepsi a day. He won't listen to a word I say about them but I've often wondered if some of his dillusions are associated with the amount of aspartame he consumes.
Stay away from that stuff. It's no good.
I just read a really interesting article on anxiety and aspartame. Its called aspartame toxicity reaction and it can take 60 days for aspartame to leave your system. Hmmm interesting because I just posted today on how I really have been making progress and ironically I've also given up diet soda pops but there wasn't a particular reason I just kind of phased them out. But I think I'll make sure I keep them out of my diet just in case!
