Can black mold cause seizures? Certain mold-derived mycotoxins can cause tremors and seizures in animals, but research has not established that indoor mold exposure causes seizures in humans.
If you've ever lived with a leaky roof or a bathroom that never quite dries out, you know mold can make a home feel off. For a lot of people, it doesn't stop at the smell. Headaches, stuffy sinuses, restless sleep, and that foggy, can't-focus feeling are common complaints among people living in damp or water-damaged buildings.[1][2]
Some mold species are toxigenic, meaning they can produce mycotoxins, chemicals that can affect biological processes in the body. Certain mycotoxins can affect the nervous system, which raises a bigger, scarier question: Could mold exposure lead to a seizure?
Certain mold-derived mycotoxins can cause tremors and seizures in animals. In people, though, a direct link between indoor mold exposure and seizures hasn't been established.
First, what do people mean by "black mold"?
Most of the time, "black mold" refers to Stachybotrys chartarum, a greenish-black mold that can grow on materials such as drywall, fiberboard, and paper when there's ongoing moisture from water damage, leaks, condensation, or flooding.[3]
It's not the only indoor mold worth knowing about. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and other fungi can also grow in damp buildings, and some species can produce mycotoxins.[4]
And color alone doesn't tell you whether a mold produces toxins. Mycotoxin production depends on the fungal species and strain, as well as environmental conditions and what the mold is growing on.[4]
What do mycotoxins do in the body?
People can be exposed through contaminated food, while inhalation and other routes have also been investigated.[4]
Depending on the specific toxin and the level of exposure, research has found that some mycotoxins can:
- trigger inflammatory and immune responses[5]
- contribute to oxidative stress and cellular damage[5]
- affect processes involved in nervous-system function[5][6]
Laboratory and animal studies have shown that certain mycotoxins can affect the brain and nervous system. Human studies of people exposed to mold or water-damaged buildings have also reported neurological symptoms and, in some cases, abnormal nerve or neurophysiological findings.[6][7]
The type of mold, the specific compounds involved, and the level and route of exposure all matter.
So is there a link between mold and seizures?
The strongest evidence comes from a group of compounds called tremorgenic mycotoxins. These fungal toxins affect the central nervous system and are produced by certain fungi, including species of Penicillium and Aspergillus.[8]
Some of these toxins have been directly linked to tremors, convulsions, and seizures in animals.
For example, a 2023 case report described an 11-year-old dog that developed sudden, whole-body seizures after suspected exposure to compost. Researchers found Penicillium in the dog's vomit and detected three tremorgenic mycotoxins: paxilline, penitrem A, and roquefortine C.[9]
A 2010 report described six dogs accidentally poisoned by tremorgenic Penicillium toxins. The dogs developed symptoms including convulsions, tremors, and loss of coordination. Researchers detected penitrem A in all of the poisonings and roquefortine C in cases where it was tested.[10]
Another case report described two dogs that developed tremorgenic neurological symptoms, including severe seizures in one dog, after eating rice contaminated with Penicillium crustosum. Testing identified penitrem A and possibly roquefortine.[11]
These cases involved high-level poisoning, primarily through ingestion of contaminated material.
Human studies of people exposed to mold or water-damaged buildings have reported neurological symptoms and neurophysiological abnormalities.[6][7] These findings are worth taking seriously, but they don't show that mold causes seizures or epilepsy.
If you or someone you know has had a seizure, don't assume mold is the cause. Seizures have many possible causes and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
What about someone who already has epilepsy?
There's very little research specifically looking at whether indoor mold exposure affects seizure frequency or control.
If you have epilepsy and suspect something in your environment may be affecting your symptoms, it's worth mentioning the mold or water-damage history to your healthcare provider rather than assuming it's the cause.
Who's more likely to be affected by mold?
Mold doesn't affect everyone the same way. People with allergies or asthma can be particularly sensitive to mold exposure, and people with weakened immune systems can face more serious risks from certain fungal infections.[1][2]
CDC notes that exposure to damp and moldy environments can cause a variety of health effects, or none at all, depending on the person and the circumstances.[1]
How to tell if mold might be a problem at home
Sometimes it's obvious. Other times it may be hidden behind a wall, under flooring, or around a plumbing leak.
Watch for:
- a musty, earthy smell, especially in closets, basements, or bathrooms
- spots or discoloration on walls, ceilings, grout, or window frames
- a history of leaks, flooding, or water damage
- windows that frequently fog up or rooms that always feel humid
- visible condensation or persistent moisture
- symptoms that seem to change when you're away from a particular environment
None of these signs can prove that mold is causing a particular health symptom. But they can be good reasons to investigate moisture and mold in the home.
What to do next
Start with your doctor, especially if seizures are involved. Mention the mold or water-damage history so they have the full picture.
Then address the moisture source. Fix leaks, dry wet materials promptly, and use ventilation or a dehumidifier when needed. EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%.[12]
If you suspect mold you can't see, a professional inspection may help identify moisture problems or hidden growth.
It can also help to understand what you're being exposed to. An environmental inspection looks at moisture and mold in the home, while a urine mycotoxin test can measure specific mycotoxins or their metabolites in a urine sample. It can't tell you what caused a seizure, but your results can be a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Where that leaves us
Certain fungal toxins affect the nervous system, and tremorgenic mycotoxins have been linked to tremors and seizures in animals.[8][9][10] Human studies have also reported neurological symptoms and abnormalities among some people exposed to mold or water-damaged buildings.[6][7]
Research has not established that typical indoor exposure to black mold causes seizures in humans.
If you've had unexplained neurological symptoms and suspect your environment may be playing a role, talk with your healthcare provider and look for signs of moisture or mold in your home. Addressing the moisture problem is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent ongoing mold growth.[12]
And if you or someone else experiences a seizure, seek medical evaluation rather than assuming mold is the cause.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you or someone else is having a seizure, call 911 or seek emergency care.
Sources
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mold.
CDC: Mold and Health
[2] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mold and Health.
EPA: Mold and Health
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Facts About Stachybotrys chartarum.
CDC: Facts About Stachybotrys chartarum
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC/NIOSH). Mold, Testing, and Remediation.
CDC/NIOSH: Mold, Testing, and Remediation
[5] Ratnaseelan AM, Tsilioni I, Theoharides TC. "Effects of Mycotoxins on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Immune Processes." Clinical Therapeutics. 2018;40(6):903-917. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2018.05.004. PMID 29880330.
[6] Campbell AW, Thrasher JD, Gray MR, Vojdani A. "Mold and mycotoxins: effects on the neurological and immune systems in humans." Advances in Applied Microbiology. 2004;55:375-406. doi:10.1016/S0065-2164(04)55015-3. PMID 15350803.
[7] Campbell AW, Thrasher JD, Madison RA, Vojdani A, Gray MR, Johnson A. "Neural autoantibodies and neurophysiologic abnormalities in patients exposed to molds in water-damaged buildings." Archives of Environmental Health. 2003;58(8):464-474. doi:10.3200/AEOH.58.8.464-474. PMID 15259425.
[8] Reddy P, Guthridge K, Vassiliadis S, et al. "Tremorgenic Mycotoxins: Structure Diversity and Biological Activity." Toxins. 2019;11(5):302.
[9] Novotna T, Sitarova B, Hoskova Z, et al. "Tremorgenic mycotoxin poisoning in a dog: A case report." Veterinární Medicína. 2023;68(12):483-489. doi:10.17221/82/2023-VETMED. PMID 38303997.
[10] Eriksen GS, Hultin Jäderlund K, Moldes-Anaya A, Schönheit J, Bernhoft A, Jæger G, Rundberget T, Skaar I."Poisoning of dogs with tremorgenic Penicillium toxins." Medical Mycology. 2010;48(1):188-196. doi:10.3109/13693780903225821. PMID 19886763.
[11] Naudé TW, O'Brien OM, Rundberget T, McGregor ADG, Roux C, Flåøyen A. "Tremorgenic neuromycotoxicosis in 2 dogs ascribed to the ingestion of penitrem A and possibly roquefortine in rice contaminated with Penicillium crustosum." Journal of the South African Veterinary Association. 2002;73(4):211-215. doi:10.4102/jsava.v73i4.589. PMID 12665136.
[12] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home.
EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
