Mold can cause serious neurological symptoms including central nervous system infections, seizures, brain fog, movement disorders and delirium. Inhaling mold can trigger your body’s innate immunity, impair cognitive function and mood while increasing IL-1β and decreasing neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
This article will cover the neurological effects of mold exposure and what to look out for.
How Mold Affects the Brain
Mold exposure is linked to many neurological symptoms that can mess with your brain. It’s creepy to think about mold spores in our environment and in our bodies.
Before 2020 research on controlled mold exposure was scarce but now observational studies are starting to prove what those who have mold illnesses have been saying for years.
Central nervous system infections from certain molds can be life threatening especially for those who are already exposed to mold and have central nervous system infections.
Seizures can change your life overnight making simple tasks feel impossible.
Think your day with brain fog a common symptom of mold exposure where memory and focus are compromised and simple tasks feel like monumental tasks.
Mycotoxins from exposure can cause movement disorders like tremors or coordination issues. Immune responses like delirium a state of acute confusion only add to this neurological mess making life unbearable.
Mold Exposure Neurological Symptoms
Here are some common mold exposure neurological symptoms:
- Anxiety or depression
- Irritability
- Mood swings
Innate Immune Activation from Mold Inhalation
Mold exposure triggers your body’s innate immunity and increases cytokines in the brain. This natural defense mechanism can sometimes backfire.
Immune responses to non-toxic and toxic mold spores can disrupt the hippocampus a brain area for learning and memory resulting in significant impairment.
Studies show that exposure to all types of mold triggers an immune response in the brain and cognitive and emotional disturbances. The symptoms and inflammation from mold exposure is the same as from innate immune activation from bacterial or viral infections.
As soon as you’re exposed to toxins from mold or their spores there’s a spike in IL-1 in the brain a marker for memory loss.
In animal studies like mice in toxic mold environments, researchers found increased IL-1 inflammatory cytokines and anxiety behavior and memory deficits. Post exposure analysis showed increased IL-1 in the hippocampal tissue around the neuronal pathways involved in memory processing.
Mold inhalation inhibits neurogenesis which is essential for maintaining healthy levels of new neuron creation for learning and memory. This happens even in specimens exposed to non-toxic sporadic fungal elements.
These symptoms from different immune response mechanisms are not just abstract concepts they are physical and can affect anyone in moldy environments.
Cognitive and Emotional Impairment
Mold exposure can cause cognitive impairment that affects your ability to learn and remember. Imagine struggling to process new information or recall important details due to brain fog.
It can also worsen mood disorders like anxiety and depression probably from mycotoxins. These emotional shifts can lead to social withdrawal and affect relationships and overall well-being.
Irritability and mood swings are common behaviors in those exposed to toxic and non-toxic mold spores.
These spores can trigger the immune system and cause cognitive and emotional disturbances.
When you’re exposed to mold, brain-immune cells can become overactive and worsen brain fog and impair focus and decision making.
- Memory lapses
- Learning difficulties
- Increased anxiety
- Mood changes
Mechanisms of Neurological Damage
In animal studies, exposure to whole and extracted mold spores resulted to significant memory and neurogenesis deficits especially in the hippocampus.
These studies explain the cognitive impairment seen in mold exposed individuals.
Studies have shown that both types of mold spores can inhibit neurogenesis and disrupt contextual memory while leaving non-hippocampal auditory memory intact. This selective effect highlights the importance of the hippocampus in cognitive function.
It can cause cognitive problems including memory, attention and concentration issues. Older mold treated mice had more contextual memory deficits than the younger ones.
Increased IL-1 immunoreactive hippocampal cells and decreased mature adult-born neurons were seen due to mold exposure.
Mycotoxins released by mold can disrupt the communication in the nervous system and cause mood swings and cognitive problems. In fact, mycotoxin exposure can cause cognitive impairment, disorganized thinking and rage, with mechanisms like oxidative stress and neuroinflammation affecting the nervous system.
It can also disrupt sleep patterns and add to cognitive and emotional problems. Repeated exposure to both toxic and non-toxic mold spores can reduce neurogenesis especially the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus.
Innate immune activation correlates with reduced neurogenesis and memory deficits in mold exposed individuals, significantly impaired behavior in mice tested on auditory-cued memory.
- Mold exposure reduces neurogenesis in the hippocampus
- Cognitive difficulties: memory, attention and concentration issues
- Mycotoxins disrupt nervous system communication
Case Studies: Mold Exposure and Neurological Symptoms
As you can see, patients who have experienced neurological symptoms after mold exposure are a testament to these health problems. Their stories show the complexity of mold illness. Research shows that cognitive functions especially memory and information processing can be severely affected by mold exposure.
Prolonged exposure can lead to various health problems including cognitive issues that may need medical attention especially for those with mold illness. Symptoms can vary from person to person so a personalized approach to healthcare is needed.
Early recognition of neurologic problems due to mold is key to timely medical attention and treatment. Case studies highlight the importance of quick recognition and individualized care plans.
- Cases of neurologic problems due to mold
- Notable cognitive dysfunctions: memory and thought processes
- Customized healthcare strategies
Mold Illnesses Beyond Neurological Symptoms
Mold can exacerbate asthma symptoms and can be life threatening. Those with asthma must be mindful of their exposure levels. Ongoing respiratory symptoms like coughing, watery eyes or difficulty breathing after mold exposure should be seen by a doctor.
Continuous allergic reactions to mold can lead to sinusitis or bronchial problems and needs professional management. Headaches in individuals exposed to mold may also be a sign of immune response to inhaling mold spores.
Of course, mold allergies can cause symptoms in those exposed to black mold especially on immune response to mold exposure and role of IgE antibodies and mast cells in allergic reactions.
For those with compromised immune systems, skin or mucous membrane infections can develop from mold exposure.
They should see a doctor if they think these infections are related to previous mold exposure. For severe cases where mold triggers asthma attacks, an emergency plan is needed.
- Asthma symptoms get worse
- Ongoing allergic reactions: sinusitis and lung problems
- Skin or mucous membrane infections
Mold in our environment reminds us to be aware and prevent illnesses caused by fungi.
How to Find Mold in Your Home
You can find mold by the musty smell and it can lead you to its hiding places even if it’s not visible. Mold appears as dark fuzzy patches on porous surfaces like drywall especially in moisture prone areas like closets and cabinets.
Ceilings in areas prone to leaks like bathrooms and kitchens are common places to find mold after water damage. Check around repaired pipes for mold as leaks can persist and create mold friendly environment.
However, dark and hidden areas in storage spaces may have mold so it’s best to check these areas after water exposure. Finding mold in your environment is important especially in moisture prone areas to prevent mold related health problems.
- Musty smell as sign of mold
- Visible dark fuzzy patches on porous surfaces
- Check areas prone to leaks
Preventing and Treating Mold Exposure
Act fast to stop mold from spreading as it can grow fast after water damage and is a health risk. Try these below prevention method:
When to See a Doctor
Those experiencing health problems from mold exposure should see a doctor as neglecting symptoms can worsen the condition. Mold toxicity caused by mycotoxins can cause severe neurological and respiratory symptoms and long term effects of cognitive decline and emotional impairment.
Those with cognitive problems like memory loss, anxiety, depression and behavioral changes should see a doctor.
A full evaluation will include assessment of your symptoms, environmental exposures (including mold presence), and medical history. A neurological exam may be part of this evaluation.
Follow these tips on when to get help for mold exposure and you’ll get treated fast.
