Written by: Amber Walker, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety/depression are on the rise, but some of the other symptoms of mold illness may surprise you! Learn how to tell if mold from a water-damaged building affects your health—and how to test your body and home for it.
Did you know that there’s a type of Alzheimer’s disease caused by mold? It’s reversible; once out of exposure and the mold toxicity is treated, these patients no longer have the disease. ¹
There is no denying how harmful mold is for humans. The toxins that come from mold have an extensive history of being used for biological warfare. The “yellow rain” T-2 toxin used against the Hmong people in Southeast Asia is one example. Mold is a big deal and, in my opinion, it’s one of the most important topics in our modern health and wellness arena.
Indoor air pollution is triggering inflammation at alarming rates, and it’s no wonder that so many people began having health issues during the pandemic when they were spending more time in their homes. Studies report the prevalence of dampness and mold in U.S. residential buildings at 50-68%, and 85% of commercial/public office buildings had past water damage. ² ⁴ As modern building practices change construction materials and create more air-tight and efficient homes, the risk of mold in buildings only goes up. Regardless of worldwide geographical location or factors like humidity levels, mold is a big concern in our homes, schools, and workplaces.
Mold can grow on a damp surface within 24-48 hours of water intrusion. Often, it’s hidden between walls and doesn’t have an obvious odor. While fungal components of foods can be ingested into the human body, the greatest source of concern is indoor air quality.
Research estimates that somewhere between 25-60% of humans have a genetic mutation that renders their system unable to tag mold toxins as harmful to remove them. ⁵ This explains why some people may be very sick in mold, while their coworkers or family members may seem fine. In some cases, people may have both an allergy and a toxicity occurring. (Outdoor molds commonly trigger allergies but are not as harmful as the species found in buildings.) The body can hold on to mold toxins, so exposures decades ago may still be at play.
Regardless of the extent of symptoms, exposure to the hundreds of species of mold in water-damaged buildings (and the bacteria, spores, fragments, and other toxic compounds associated with them) is extremely harmful to any human body. Over time, this can lead to cancer, anxiety and depression, neurological conditions, heart and lung problems, infections, autoimmune disease, and more. ⁶
Every single doctor sees cases of chronic illness each day that are impacted by mycotoxins—the harmful metabolites produced by mold—but this concern rarely gets discussed or properly diagnosed. There’s a name for this inflammatory biotoxin issue: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, abbreviated CIRS.
The effects may show up at a young age: Cases of doctor-diagnosed asthma increase 19-54% in children exposed to damp buildings. ⁷ Even in research from the ’90s, mold exposure was attributed to the vast majority (93%) of chronic sinus infections. ⁸ Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is taking the world by storm; research links it to mold exposure. ⁹ However, the far-reaching impacts of this issue extend beyond the classic skin, lung, and sinus concerns.
Symptoms of CIRS/mold toxicity ⁶，⁹，¹⁰
Fatigue (often severe) and weakness
Brain fog, mood swings, memory issues, confusion
Chronic sinus congestion
Headaches, facial nerve pain
Muscle aches or cramps, unusual sharp pains
Blurred vision, sensitivity to light
Abdominal pain and gut issues
Shortness of breath, cough, chest pain
Dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears
Heart arrhythmias
Skin sensitivities, hives, rashes, eczema
Joint pain, tendon inflammation, morning stiffness
Night sweats and difficulty with temperature regulation
Mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, etc.
Numbness, tingling, metallic taste in the mouth
Frequent urination and excessive thirst; urinary symptoms
Tendency to have frequent static shocks
Internal vibration or tremor
Menorrhagia and hormonal abnormalities
Sensitivities to chemicals and EMFs
Unexplained weight gain
Insomnia
So, you think you may be influenced by historical or current mold exposure: What next?
How to test your body
Unfortunately, the conventional medical system lacks an adequate test to help detect the presence of mycotoxins. Allergy testing for mold does not help determine whether toxicity is occurring. The best route is to work with a naturopathic doctor or functional medicine practitioner who can order a high-quality mycotoxin urine test (such as those offered by Real Time Lab, Mosaic Diagnostics, or Vibrant Lab). Additional blood work, nasal swabs, and urine testing may be warranted. A visual test that looks at the optic nerve and biotoxins (called the VCS test) may also be helpful.
How to test your home
This topic is even trickier—and more controversial. The vast majority of mold inspection companies out there miss mold. They rely on air samples and a quick visual inspection. Do your due diligence to call companies and ensure that the inspection involves several hours of detective work utilizing thermal imaging, dust sampling, inspection of areas like the attic, crawlspace, or HVAC system, and a detailed report.
You can also do some testing yourself. Dust sample testing via the ERMI, the EMMA, or The Dust Test by Home Cleanse, and EnviroBiomics tests that look at mold-related bacteria (like actinomycetes and endotoxins) can be helpful and are considered the more reliable building tests. Petri dishes (agar plate tests) are discouraged because they are significantly less accurate.
Bathrooms, kitchens, basements, laundry rooms, closets, crawlspaces, and attics are common hiding places where mold grows. If mold is discovered (and there are usually multiple sources or problem areas in a building), the remediation must follow CIRS guidelines, which involve dozens of steps to ensure that it’s done safely and effectively. Moldy materials MUST be removed (spraying, fogging, and opening windows are not solutions) and it’s best to hire a company to help.
Next steps
If you’ve determined that you have CIRS, you’ll want to work with a practitioner who specializes in the condition and can help your body remove toxins and heal. There are several treatment approaches and protocols; I prefer the non-pharmacological approach. Nervous system work can also be powerful. It’s important to avoid having tunnel vision with mold—there are likely other factors driving inflammation that are important to address.
The intent of this article is not to create fear or paranoia. Instead, the idea is to empower you to understand what may be impacting inflammation in your body—and to do something to halt or prevent disease. The good news is that when given the right tools and environment, the body has an incredible ability to heal from the detrimental impacts of mold exposure and CIRS.
Amber Walker, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Amber Walker is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, author and the owner of Origin Wellness. She is passionate about a root issues approach to healing from chronic illness and has advanced training in functional medicine, nutrition, nervous system healing, Mind Body Spirit Release™ (MBSR™) and CranioBiotic Technique. With over 16 years of experience working with clients all over the world, Amber specializes in conditions such as mast cell activation syndrome, mold biotoxin illness, long Covid, POTS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, and chronic mysterious ailments. When not on a surfboard, she enjoys hosting telehealth groups, 1-on-1 care, and retreats in Mexico. Her mission: Help you go from surviving to thriving.
Helpful Resources:
Mold Resources Page: virtual inspectors, testing, mold-tested coffee, air purifiers, HEPA vacuums, and more
Origin Wellness: customized care for patients with CIRS and other chronic conditions
“Break The Mold” – book by Dr. Jill Crista
References:
[1] Bredesen, D. E. (2016). Inhalational Alzheimer’s disease: An unrecognized-and treatable- epidemic. Aging, 8(2), 304–313. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.100896
[2] Mendell MJ, Cozen M: Building-related symptoms among U.S. office workers and risk factors for moisture and contamination: Preliminary analyses of U.S. EPA BASE data. LBNL-51567, Berkeley, CA Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2002).
[3] Spengler J, Neas L, Nakai S, et al. Respiratory Symptoms and Housing Characteristics. Indoor Air. 1994;4(2):72-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0668.1994.t01-2-00002.x
[4] Maier WC, Arrighi HM, Morray B, Liewellyn C, Redding GJ. Indoor Risk Factors for Asthma and Wheezing Among Seattle School Children. Environ Health Perspect. 1997;105(2):208-214.
[5] Shoemaker R. Lab Tests for Mold Illness - Secrets of Surviving Mold. https://www.survivingmold.com/resources-for-patients/diagnosis/lab-tests. Accessed May 11, 2022.
[6] Nathan, Neil and Crista, Jill. Current Evaluation and Treatment of Mold Toxicity. TFIM Annual Meeting. Austin, Texas. February 29, 2024.
[7] Cai, J., Yang, M., Zhang, N., Chen, Y., Wei, J., Wang, J., Liu, Q., Li, W., Shi, W., & Liu, W. (2024). Effects of residential damp indicators on asthma, rhinitis, and eczema among children: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature in the past 33 years. Building and Environment, 251, 111226. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BUILDENV.2024.111226
[8] Ponikau, J. U. (1999). The diagnosis and incidence of allergic fungal sinusitis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 74(9), 877–884. https://doi.org/10.4065/74.9.877
[9] Crista J. Break The Mold: 5 Tools to Conquer Mold and Take Back Your Health. Wellness Ink Publishing. 2018.
[10] Nathan N. Toxic: Heal Your Body from Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and Chronic Environmental Illness. Victory Belt Publishing. 2018.
