Can Mold Affect Mental Health?

Описание: Can Mold Affect Mental Health?
One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to living with mold exposure is, "Can mold affect mental health?" As Sara mentioned during Mold Talks, it absolutely can. While we often discuss the physical symptoms and how debilitating they can be, the psychological toll can be just as devastating.

How Can Mold Affect Mental Health?
It’s no secret that much more research is needed to fully answer the question, "How can mold affect mental health?" Not only is it not a hot topic discussed in society, but it’s also not a hot area of scientific research (yet). Still, the lack of attention and awareness doesn’t mean that exposure can’t cause problems for our brains.

A few studies over the years have attempted to determine how exposure affects the brain. They’ve been able to establish a tenuous link between mold exposure and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety for those living in contaminated spaces. When it comes to the question of "how can mold affect mental health," researchers point to mold and toxins’ ability to affect the nervous system, the immune system, and impede the function of the frontal cortex. So, not only is the anxiety a problem, but as Sara also experienced, it can trigger other issues such as brain fog as well.

Obviously, more research is needed to better understand the mental impact of mold exposure. However, with the number of people on Mold Talks alone discussing how this indoor contaminant affected their physical and psychological health, it’s easy to see why preventing mold, getting rid of it properly, and detoxing are so important.

Why Knowing the Answer to Can Mold Affect Mental Health Matters
While Sara initially attributed her initial symptoms to stress and getting older, she was lucky enough to realize that her current state of health wasn’t normal and she needed help. Unfortunately, not everyone comes to the same realization and will continue to suffer through the exposure-related symptoms. That’s why knowing the answer to "Can mold affect mental health?" is so crucial because those symptoms will persist until the root cause is eliminated.

The more we know about and are aware of this indoor contaminant, the faster we’ll be able to recognize when something’s not quite right with our bodies. Instead of brushing it off, we’ll seek medical help, not be so quick to accept the popular “it’s all in your head” response, and look to things such as our indoor spaces as the culprits. Which doesn't happen nearly as much as it should. The sooner the problem is found, though, the sooner healing can begin and those suffering from exposure-related symptoms can find relief.

With how much time we spend indoors, the state of that indoor space and whether or not it’s contaminated with particles such as mold spores and mycotoxins really does matter.

The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, our bodies are amazing warning systems that will tell us if something’s wrong. It’s up to us to listen to and figure out what’s causing them distress so that we can remove ourselves from that situation. Otherwise, those symptoms will persist as long as the exposure continues.

You can watch Sara’s full Mold Talks episode here:    • Never Been Sicker #12 - The Psychological ...  

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Barbeau, D. N., Grimsley, L. F., White, L. E., El-Dahr, J. M., & Lichtveld, M. (2010). Mold exposure and health effects following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Annual review of public health, 31, 165-178.
Shenassa, E. D., Daskalakis, C., Liebhaber, A., Braubach, M., & Brown, M. (2007). Dampness and mold in the home and depression: an examination of mold-related illness and perceived control of one’s home as possible depression pathways. American Journal of Public Health, 97(10), 1893-1899.
Anyanwu, E. C., Campbell, A. W., & Vojdani, A. (2003). Neurophysiological effects of chronic indoor environmental toxic mold exposure on children. TheScientificWorldJOURNAL, 3, 281-290.