Page "Gaia (Final Fantasy VII)" Paragraph 24

Prolonged exposure to Mako can lead to genetic mutation, cognitive disability and even death.

Individuals who have had such prolonged exposure are identified by a glow in their eyes, referred to as " Mako eyes ".

All members of SOLDIER bear this distinguishing feature, and, as such, it is considered to be a " mark of SOLDIER.

"< ref name =" makoeyes "> Aerith: "... Your eyes.

They have a strange glow ..." / Cloud: " That's the sign of those who have been infused with Mako ... A mark of SOLDIER.

"< span style =" font-size: 90 %;">( Final Fantasy VII )</ span ></ ref > However, exposure to Mako in its concentrated form can be dangerous to humans, and typically results in a psychological disorder known as " Mako poisoning ".

This causes a surge of memories flooding one's mind to such an extent that the person can no longer distinguish between real memories and memories belonging to others, to which they were once privy.

Cloud Strife experiences severe mako poisoning twice ; once upon being a subject of Hojo's experiments, and again upon falling into the Lifestream after being forced to give Sephiroth the Black Materia.