Can mold cause seizures? It’s a question that many wouldn’t think to ask—until unexplained neurological symptoms begin to surface. While mold is commonly associated with allergies and respiratory issues, its potential impact on the brain is less talked about. Yet, for individuals with chronic exposure, especially in water-damaged homes, neurological symptoms like brain fog, headaches, and even seizures may become an alarming reality.

This article explores how mold can cause such far-reaching harm, what the science says about mold and seizures, and what you can do if you suspect mold is affecting your health or your home.

Can Mold Cause Seizures? Why Indoor Mold Growth is a Contamination Problem

The over 100,000 species of mold identified globally reproduce by releasing microscopic spores into the surrounding environment. These spores, much like seeds from a plant, float invisibly through the air, remaining inactive until they land on a surface that allows them to grow.

For these spores to thrive, they need two key elements: food and moisture. With increasing water damage in buildings and an abundance of organic materials indoors—like skin cells, wood, wallpaper, fabric, and other materials—it's easy for mold colonies to establish themselves inside homes. Once a colony takes root, it releases more microscopic spores into the air, which can continue to spread throughout the space. Some species go a step further, releasing mycotoxins—microscopic toxins that are even more dangerous when inhaled or absorbed by the body, further increasing the toxic load.

Why does it seem to be a bigger problem now than in the past? One factor is construction practices.

Modern building practices, focused on achieving net-zero energy efficiency, limit airflow between the indoor and outdoor environments. As a result, the mold particles and mycotoxins released by colonies can remain trapped inside, continuing to build up as long as the mold colony exists. 

This creates the unique problem we find ourselves in now: indoor mold growth is significantly more concentrated than mold in the natural world, where spores can disperse freely into the vast outdoors. To make matters more complex, mold exists behind a long list of indoor contaminants such as VOCs, lead, pesticides, chemicals, and more.

The consequence is that, in closed indoor environments, these toxic particles remain within the living space, leading to prolonged exposure and increased health risks—one of the most concerning being the neurological impact. It has left many people questioning, “Can mold cause seizures?”  

The Path from Mold to Seizures: How Does It Happen?

The idea that mold exposure could trigger seizures might sound far-fetched at first. How could a patch of fungi in the bathroom have anything to do with brain activity? But when we look at how mold interacts with the body—particularly through its mycotoxins—it becomes easier to understand how exposure can create a multi-systemic impact, including neurological complications. 

The unfortunate reality, though, is that we don’t have nearly as much research as needed to understand the extent to which mold impacts the body and concretely address the question, “Can mold cause seizures?” That said, assessing the available research and finding causal relationships tells a pretty telling story. 

Mycotoxins and Neurotoxicity

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that interfere with various bodily systems, including the nervous system. According to research, mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A (OTA), aflatoxins, and trichothecenes are known to cause oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation in brain tissue. These changes can disturb neuronal signaling and impair blood-brain barrier function—key pathways involved in seizure disorders.

In another peer-reviewed article, researchers found that exposure to toxic mold can alter the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and lead to chronic neuroinflammation. This disruption can pave the way for hyperexcitable brain states, potentially increasing the likelihood of seizures, especially in individuals already vulnerable due to genetic or environmental factors.

Mold and Electrical Activity in the Brain

Research has shown that mold exposure can lead to neurological symptoms, including seizure-like episodes, particularly in individuals who have high levels of mycotoxins like gliotoxin and trichothecenes in their system. These mycotoxins can disrupt the brain’s chemical communication by interfering with neurotransmitters, the messengers that help transmit signals between brain cells. When neurotransmitter activity is altered, it can cause an imbalance in the electrical impulses that control brain functions, such as motor skills and cognition. This imbalance may lead to abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, which can result in seizures.

However, it's important to note that not everyone exposed to mold will experience seizures. The likelihood of developing seizures depends on several factors, such as the type of mold present, the level and length of exposure, the presence of other toxins in the environment, and the individual’s overall health. Sensitive individuals, such as children, those with compromised immune systems, or people dealing with chronic illnesses, are at higher risk for these severe reactions.

The potential for any harmful interaction, though, supports why we do not want this indoor contaminant in our home, lowering the indoor air quality and causing unwanted exposure.

Neurological Symptoms of Mold Exposure: More Than Just Seizures

Seizures are not the only neurological symptom associated with mold exposure. In fact, neurological issues are one of the most concerning—and under-discussed—consequences of long-term mold exposure. 

As outlined in our blog on neurological symptoms of mold exposure, individuals have reported a wide range of brain-related symptoms, including:

• Brain fog and cognitive dysfunction
• Memory issues
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Migraines or persistent headaches
• Mood swings, anxiety, and depression
• Sensory processing issues
• Motor coordination difficulties

All of these symptoms point to one key idea: mold can trigger a multi-systemic inflammatory response, one that doesn’t stay confined to the lungs or sinuses but can reach deeply into the nervous system and disrupt normal neurological function.

So, Can Mold Cause Seizures?

Based on current research and growing clinical experience, the answer to “Can mold cause seizures?” is yes—mold exposure can complexly lead to seizures, particularly in vulnerable individuals. This is not a universal outcome for everyone exposed to mold, but enough evidence exists to consider it a legitimate concern.

Again, we don’t have nearly enough research to determine exactly how mold interacts with the body. As the slowly developing studies show, though, this is not a situation that we should ignore or take lightly. While some individuals may have no immediate reaction to exposure, far too many others are unknowingly suffering from chronic symptoms when the culprit is right in their own homes. 

Whether it's through direct neurotoxicity, chronic inflammation, or immune dysregulation, mold and its toxic byproducts have been shown to affect the brain in profound ways. For those experiencing unexplained seizures, especially when other common causes have been ruled out, it is absolutely worth considering environmental exposure as part of the diagnostic process. 

In fact, this should be a priority in any diagnosis process.

What Should You Do if You Suspect Mold Exposure?

If you’re concerned that mold may be contributing to symptoms like seizures, headaches, or other neurological issues, it’s critical to take a comprehensive approach to assessment and healing. Mold-related illness is not often addressed in conventional medical settings, so being your own advocate is vital.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Living Space

Any home—regardless of age or location—can develop a mold problem. New construction homes may have hidden contamination from improper building materials or rushed construction. Older homes may have structural damage or leaky pipes that invite microbial growth. Start by looking for signs of contamination:

• Visible mold growth in any color (not just black)
• A musty or earthy smell, often described as damp or cigar-like
• Evidence of past or present water damage, including stains, buckling floors, or peeling paint

Even if you don’t see mold, it may be lurking behind walls, under flooring, or in HVAC systems. A great place to start is by using The Dust Test to determine if there’s a problem. If the results show high levels of mold, it’s time to bring in a mold inspector. 

Also, if you find yourself asking, “Can mold cause seizures?” and whether it could be contributing to your or a loved one's chronic health issues, pay attention to your body when in the home. If seizures tend to occur more frequently or if other chronic symptoms flare up in the home, that’s a sign that something isn’t quite right in the space, and a professional needs to come check it out.

Step 2: Hire a Qualified Mold Inspector

A trained mold inspector will use advanced testing methods to identify:

• What types of mold are present
• How much mold is present
• Whether mycotoxins are also involved
• Whether spores have entered the HVAC system

This level of detail is crucial. Many companies conduct only visual inspections or air sampling, which may miss significant hidden contamination. You want a professional who will spend several hours in your home and utilize multiple methods.

Step 3: Test the Body and Work With the Right Medical Professional

Mold-related illness doesn’t have a single diagnostic test. To determine whether mold is impacting your body, work with a medical professional experienced in environmental exposures. They may recommend a combination of:

• Mycotoxin testing through urine samples
• Bloodwork for inflammation, immune activity, and organ function
• Visual contrast sensitivity testing (VCS)
• Genetic testing (like HLA-DR) to assess detox ability

Importantly, your provider should believe your symptoms and customize a treatment plan tailored to your unique health situation. One-size-fits-all detox plans can backfire, especially if the exposure source hasn’t been removed from your environment.

Step 4: Remediate the Home Thoroughly

If mold is confirmed, you’ll need a reputable remediation company like HomeCleanse that follows a science-based protocol. Proper remediation must:

• Eliminate the source of mold completely
• Ensure the condition that caused it is fixed (e.g., leaks or humidity)
• Remove all related contamination, including mycotoxins, bacteria, and spores from surfaces

Many remediation efforts fail because they address visible mold but leave behind toxins or ignore the root cause. This leaves families sick and stuck in a cycle of chronic symptoms.

Your Environment Matters

Understanding the answer to “Can mold cause seizures?” is important. The more awareness we have, the sooner we will turn to our environment as a possible culprit. If you or someone in your family is experiencing seizures or other unexplained neurological symptoms, don’t overlook the possibility of mold exposure as a contributing factor. Mold is more than just an unsightly nuisance—it’s a biological hazard that can affect nearly every system in the body, including the brain.

Healing from mold exposure requires more than just medical treatment. It demands a full understanding of your environment, the right team of experts, and a commitment to identifying and eliminating all sources of contamination. With the proper support, a clean space, and targeted protocols, recovery is possible—and seizures linked to mold may become a thing of the past.