Mold debuted in 2003 in the mainstream media with dramatic shots of black-mold infested buildings being investigated by spaceman-like workers in protective suits and helmets. It virtually disappeared as a topic soon thereafter, making it seem to have been mostly media sensationalism.  But despite the degree that they are down-played by some organizations, health problems caused by mold are neither hype nor fad.

Sick Building Syndrome and Depression Symptoms

Think about the onset of your depression symptoms.  Did they begin after you started a new job or a new school, after moving to a new home, or perhaps shortly following a flood or water leak in your home? If so, you may be suffering from sick building syndrome.  This term – sick building – is used broadly to describe poorly ventilated buildings infested with mold, bacteria or noxious chemicals.  Due to advances in architectural design, buildings are now constructed to create a tightly sealed structure which prevents dust, pollen, or other allergens and pests from entering the home.  The problem, however, is tight seals within our homes and work environments can allow moisture to collect, supporting the growth of mold spores into colonies.   In short, nothing may be getting in the home, but nothing is getting out either!  For example, when a pipe leaks or flooding occurs within a home, the lack of adequate ventilation can allow airborne mold spores to set up shop. 

A public health study published in the American Journal of Public Health of over 6,000 European adults found an unexpected connection between damp, moldy homes and depression. The study revealed an association between mold exposure and mood alterations.  Edmond Shenassa, a Brown University epidemiologist who led the study stated, “We thought that once we statistically accounted for factors that could clearly contribute to depression – things like employment status and crowding – we would see any link vanish, but the opposite was true. We found a solid association between depression and living in a damp, moldy home.”[1]

Mold Toxins and Depression

The molds most often implicated in “sick building syndrome” are Penicillium, Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Alternaria, and Chaetomium species of fungi.  Each of these fungi produce metabolites called mycotoxins that can also cause illness and death in animals and humans.[2] “Myco” means fungal (mold) and “toxin” means poison; hence, mycotoxins are actual poisons emitted from molds. Mycotoxins vary in the effects they cause.  Symptoms range from allergic reactions to serious chronic illness.  According to research published in the Scientific World Journal, chronic exposures to mold toxins can lead to a wide range of neurological consequences, including headache, general debilitating pains, fever, cough, memory loss, depression symptoms, mood swings, sleep disturbances, anxiety, chronic fatigue symptoms, and seizures.[3]

What To Do if You Think You May Have Been Exposed to Mold

1. Buy an air purifier to put in your home.  Make sure the air purifier eradicates mold and mold spores.
2. If the mold in your home or office is confined to an area, environmentally-safe cleaning products, baking soda or vinegar may do the trick.  Be sure to use a mask while cleaning anything contaminated with mold!
3. In cases of extensive and severe mold damage, you may need to contract a company for mold remediation.  Be sure to stay away from your home for a few days during and after such procedures, to avoid inhaling mold spores forced airborne during the cleaning.
4. To relieve allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, stuffiness, sore throat and headache, you can use antifungal supplements such as olive leaf nasal spray or throat spray, olive leaf capsules, oil of oregano, garlic or caprylic acid.
5. Probiotics, or friendly bacteria – a few of which are used to make yogurt – are effective at neutralizing certain mycotoxins.  For example, probiotics convert harmful, ochratoxin A into non-toxic, ochratoxin alpha.  Probiotics also aid in digestion, they manufacture several vitamins that are absorbed into our bloodstreams and they provide crucial support to our immune systems. Probiotics are abundantly present in foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, or natto, but they can also be purchased in supplement form.

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