Neuropsychiatric Clinical Presentation of Mold Illness

Eboni Cornish, MD of Amen Clinics Washington, D.C. discusses mold and toxicity and why they can cause chronic symptoms, how to recognize those signs and symptoms, and what treatment looks like for this patient population. We’re all familiar with mold. You may have wiped it off your bathroom sink, found it on an old leather coat in the back of your closet, or seen it in your shower. But there’s another type of mold—one that lurks behind the walls, in air ducts, and in crawl spaces that can wreak havoc with your brain health. This type of black mold (Stachybotrys) is actually a toxin that releases toxic gas and spores into the air. When the toxins are inhaled or enter your body through your skin’s pores, the toxic gases can disrupt healthy brain function and impact behavior. Exposure to toxic mold is becoming more common, in part due to construction trends. Homes in America are typically constructed using wood and drywall, where mold thrives. Even worse, did you know that half of the buildings in