Regardless of how well you’re able to carry yourself on the outside, are you someone who feels like you’re silently suffering on the inside? Or maybe you feel like you’re constantly complaining with no good explanation as to why. Have you considered the possibility of mold exposure? Dr. Shelby Garn explains:

At this point, you probably go into doctors’ offices with a prepared list of things to mention because of how cumbersome your symptoms may seem. To name a few: headaches, fatigue, nasal congestion, endless food sensitivities and/or environmental sensitivities, new onset allergies, muscle/joint pain, exercise intolerance, neck pain/tension or red eyes. Or are you the person who feels like your immune system just can’t seem to keep up, and you’re always sick? If any or all of these symptoms resonate with you, it’s probably time to do a deep dive into the possibility of mold exposure. The problem with mold toxicity is the complexity of symptoms, and no individual symptom can be treated alone. Band-aid fix solutions will only get us so far. If you’ve started to become sensitive to normally harmless triggers such as foods, fragrances, stress, exercise, temperature changes, alcohol, and viral infections, then we can be almost certain we’re working with immune activation, where your cells no longer feel safe. To heal, it is necessary for the body to feel safe again.

It is important that your doctor is meeting you where you’re at, as too aggressive treatment can make the sensitive patient feel even worse. Our first goal is to prioritize stabilization over aggressive detox to avoid flare-ups.

Things we have to consider are:

– Poor detoxification

– Neurological histamine symptoms

– Gut and the microbiome

– B1, B12 and other nutrient deficiencies

When treating sensitive patients with mold toxicity, a gentle, stepwise approach is essential. I cannot stress enough the importance of the first step: reducing exposure. If you are currently being exposed to mold, this will cause recurring flares and make it very hard to move the needle with treatment. A general approach I take is beginning with environmental and dietary triggers, so your cells aren’t constantly on “edge” and then introducing interventions one at a time at low doses to support basic detox pathways and prioritize nervous system regulation. More is not always better, and give yourself some grace here. Let’s talk about swaps that you can be confident in making a positive difference:

– Instead of peanuts and peanut butter, potatoes, kombucha, black tea, sweets and high sugar snacks, simple Carbs, mushrooms, corn, alcoholic beverages, gluten -> Consider rich coloured vegetables (beets, sweet potatoes, kale), almond butter, green tea, stinging nettle tea, berries

– Instead of fragranced shampoos, soaps, lotions → choose unscented, hypoallergenic brands

– Instead of chemical cleaners → switch to vinegar, baking soda, or unscented natural cleaners.

– Instead of high-intensity workouts that trigger flares → gentle movement: walking, yoga, tai chi, swimming.

– Instead of stress buildup → daily calming practices: breathwork, meditation, pacing activities, nervous system regulation (e.g., limbic retraining)

Who better to listen and understand what you’re going through than someone who has been through it themselves? Healing takes time — and that’s okay. By listening to your body, making small, consistent changes, and honouring your pace, you can steadily move toward feeling stronger and healthier after mold exposure.