Mold exposure is an increasingly common health concern. Mold grows easily in damp areas and can release toxins called mycotoxins that may have harmful effects on health. There is growing evidence that mold toxicity can contribute to anxiety and other mental health issues.
What is mold toxicity?
Mold toxicity, also known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), refers to symptoms caused by exposure to mycotoxins released by mold. When mold grows in damp areas in a home or building, it releases microscopic spores and chemicals called mycotoxins into the air. When people breathe in these mold spores and mycotoxins, they can have toxic effects on the body and brain.
Some common symptoms of mold toxicity include:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Rashes
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Nausea
In addition to these common symptoms, mold toxicity can also contribute to more serious chronic health issues involving inflammation, autoimmunity, and problems with the central nervous system.
How does mold toxicity occur?
Mold toxicity occurs when mycotoxins are inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. The main way people are exposed is by breathing in spores and myotoxin particles from mold growing in a home, office, or other building.
Some of the most common places mold grows include:
- Bathrooms – especially around showers, sinks, pipes, and floors
- Basements and crawl spaces – which tend to be prone to dampness and leaks
- Attics – which can accumulate moisture
- Kitchens – around sinks, dishwashers, refrigerators, and pipes
- Carpets and flooring – especially if they have gotten wet
- Window sills and window frames
- Insulation materials
- HVAC systems
- Ceiling tiles and drywall
When mold is disturbed or damaged, such as during renovations or cleaning, even more spores and mycotoxins can be released into the air. Other sources of mold include contaminated foods, infected buildings from floods or leaks, and contaminated herbal products.
What are the effects of mold toxicity on mental health?
Exposure to mold and mycotoxins can have significant detrimental effects on mental health in some people. According to research studies and clinical expertise, some of the psychiatric effects linked to mold toxicity and CIRS include:
- Anxiety – Mold toxicity is associated with increased anxiety, panic attacks, and feelings of inner unrest or inability to relax.
- Depression – Toxic mold exposure can cause symptoms of clinical depression such as low mood, lack of enjoyment, trouble sleeping, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – New research shows that mold toxicity can be a trigger for obsessive compulsive disorder behaviors and symptoms.
- Memory loss and brain fog – Mold exposure is associated with decreased memory function, difficulty concentrating and focusing, and brain fog.
- Personality changes – Toxic mold can contribute to increased anger, irritability, aggression, and personality changes.
Researchers believe several factors contribute to mental health issues from mold toxicity:
- Inflammation in the brain caused by the body’s immune response to mold and mycotoxins
- Biochemical effects of mycotoxins on neurotransmitters like serotonin
- Reduced oxygen supply to the brain from damage to blood vessels and reduced red blood cell production
- Disruption of the body’s ability to detoxify mycotoxins due to damage to the liver and kidneys
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction
Scientific research on the mental health effects of mold
An increasing number of scientific studies have found connections between mold toxicity and mental health:
- A 2020 study found that living in a moldy environment was associated with a 300% increased risk of depression and a 270% increased risk of anxiety.
- A 2019 literature review concluded toxic mold exposure is significantly associated with depression, anxiety, changes in personality and behavior, and problems with memory and focus.
- A 2018 study found employees working in a mold-contaminated building had higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population.
- A 2017 study of patients with CIRS found that 78% met criteria for depression, 62% for panic disorder, and 52% for OCD on psychiatric evaluation.
- Multiple studies show resolution of depression, anxiety, brain fog, OCD, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms after patients follow mold avoidance protocols.
While further research is still needed, the existing studies provide strong evidence that for some individuals, mold toxicity can be a trigger for multiple psychiatric illnesses including anxiety, depression, and OCD.
How is mold toxicity related to anxiety?
There are several ways toxic mold exposure is thought to contribute specifically to anxiety:
Inflammation
When mold spores and mycotoxins are inhaled, the immune system mounts an inflammatory response. This can lead to inflammation in the brain that overstimulates the central nervous system. Brain inflammation is linked to increased anxiety and feelings of panic.
Oxidative stress
Mold and mycotoxins generate oxidative stress, an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Oxidative stress damages neurons in the brain and is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders including anxiety.
Effects on neurotransmitters
Mold toxins can alter levels of important neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Imbalances in these neurotransmitters are often seen in anxiety disorders. Low serotonin in particular is associated with increased anxiety.
Microbiome disruption
Toxic molds can alter the populations of healthy gut bacteria that make up the microbiome. An unhealthy gut microbiome is linked to increased inflammation and oxidative stress, which can increase anxiety. Probiotics may help counteract this.
HPA axis dysfunction
Exposure to molds can disrupt the HPA axis, which controls the production of stress hormones like cortisol. HPA axis dysfunction leads to imbalanced cortisol levels that are associated with anxiety and depression.
Symptoms of anxiety related to mold toxicity
Some symptoms of anxiety that may be linked to chronic mold exposure include:
- Feeling nervous, panicky, or on edge for no reason
- Racing heart
- Shortness of breath and chest tightness
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Obsessive worry
- Insomnia
- Restlessness and feeling keyed up
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
These symptoms often get worse when the person spends time in a moldy indoor environment. Symptoms may improve when a person gets away from the mold exposure.
Who is most at risk for anxiety from mold toxicity?
Not everyone exposed to mold goes on to develop anxiety or other neuropsychiatric issues. Factors that increase someone’s risk include:
- Genetic susceptibility – Gene variants that reduce the body’s ability to detoxify mycotoxins put people at higher risk.
- Repeated or chronic exposure – Longer and higher levels of exposure often cause more severe effects.
- Children and older adults – The very young and old tend to be more vulnerable to toxins.
- Preexisting conditions – Those with chronic illnesses like autoimmune disease, depression, and Lyme disease tend to react more severely to molds.
- Mold sensitivity – Many people have antibodies showing they are reactive to molds.
- Poor diet and lifestyle – Diet and lifestyle impact how well someone can detoxify mold toxins.
Doctors may test for certain gene mutations, antibodies, and biochemical markers of mold sensitivity to determine if someone is susceptible to toxic effects on mental health from mold exposure.
Conventional treatments for mold-induced anxiety
Doctors usually treat anxiety believed to be caused by mold toxicity using standard interventions such as:
- Medications – Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants can provide symptom relief but don’t address the root cause.
- Psychotherapy – Cognitive behavioral therapy gives patients tools to manage anxiety but does not treat underlying mold toxicity.
- Lifestyle changes – Exercise, meditation, and limiting stress can complement other treatments.
Unfortunately, these conventional treatments for anxiety often provide only limited relief for patients suffering from anxiety related specifically to chronic mold exposures. This has led many people to seek out alternative approaches focused on eliminating mold from the body and environment.
Alternative treatments for mold toxicity and anxiety
A range of alternative and natural interventions may help treat anxiety and other neuropsychiatric symptoms by reducing the body’s toxic burden from mold exposure:
Avoidance of mold
The first step for anyone suffering from mold-related anxiety is to identify and eliminate sources of toxic mold from their home, office, car, and other environments where they spend time. This may involve professional remediation or moving to a new living space.
Detoxification
Saunas, nutritional supplements, antioxidant foods, herbs, colonics, and other detoxification strategies help eliminate mycotoxins and reduce inflammation. Some key supplements include glutathione, activated charcoal, and bentonite clay.
Anti-inflammatory diet
Diets high in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce inflammation from mold toxicity. These include fresh fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fats, turmeric, and green tea.
Stress management
Managing underlying stress through yoga, massage, acupuncture, and other relaxation techniques helps minimize anxiety. Mind-body practices like meditation help reverse HPA axis dysfunction.
Functional medicine
Functional and integrative medical providers test for mold sensitivity and tailor treatment plans to the individual using nutrition, supplements, detoxification, hormone balancing, and other interventions.
Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT)
OMT techniques like lymphatic drainage massage help the body’s lymphatic system eliminate mycotoxins and reduce inflammation.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
HBOT increases oxygen delivery to the brain and stimulates detoxification pathways. Some studies show HBOT helps resolve mood and neurological issues in patients with CIRS.
Testing for mold toxicity
Mold toxicity can be challenging to diagnose since it has such a wide variety of possible symptoms. Comprehensive testing is key to identify if toxic mold exposure could be contributing to someone’s anxiety or other health issues.
Some of the main tests used include:
- Mycotoxin testing – Urine, blood, or stool analysis to detect mycotoxin levels
- Organic acids test – Measures metabolites produced from mycotoxin breakdown in the body
- Mold IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies – Show immune reaction indicating sensitivity to molds
- HLA-DR genetic testing – Identifies genes affecting mold detoxification
- Galactomannan test – Measures immune response triggered by toxic molds
- C4a test – Evaluates inflammatory byproducts and CIRS severity
A breath test like the Mycotoxin/Mold RealTime Laboratories ERMI can directly detect mold toxin levels in a home or building.
At-home mold toxicity treatments
There are several effective at-home treatments that can help reduce mold toxicity and associated anxiety:
Dry brushing
Using a dry brush on bare skin before showering can improve lymphatic drainage and excretion of mold toxins.
lymphatic drainage massage
Light massage techniques encourage lymphatic flow to flush out mycotoxins. Can be self-administered or done by a massage therapist.
Infrared sauna
Portable FIR saunas are an easy way to regularly sweat out mycotoxins at home.
Activated charcoal
Taking activated charcoal supplements daily binds to mycotoxins in the digestive tract.
Air purifiers
HEPA air purifiers for home use help reduce mold spores and mycotoxins in indoor air.
Green juicing
Consuming green vegetable juices high in chlorophyll promotes detoxification of mold toxins.
When to see a doctor
Anyone experiencing chronic issues with anxiety should see a doctor to rule out mold toxicity and other underlying causes that may require medical treatment. Be sure to mention any potential mold exposures in your home, workplace, school, or other environments. Keep a log of locations that seem to worsen your anxiety.
Seek emergency medical care right away if you experience a panic attack with severe symptoms like:
- Rapid heart rate or palpitations
- Feeling like you are choking
- Dizziness, weakness or fainting
- Sweating or chills
- Tingling in arms or legs
- Fear you are losing control or even dying
Though rare, seek prompt medical treatment for anxiety accompanied by chest pain, difficulty breathing, or suicidal thoughts.
Final thoughts
Scientific research provides convincing evidence that for some individuals, chronic toxic mold exposure contributes to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Testing for mold toxicity along with avoidance of mold exposure and detoxification using both conventional and alternative treatments can help resolve anxiety and panic attacks related to mold illness.
A comprehensive, integrative treatment approach offers the best chance of success by identifying and eliminating the root causes of inflammation from mold toxins that may be disrupting your mental health and well-being.