Mold Illness, CIRS, and the Missing Piece in Chronic Health Conditions

CIRS occurs when there is widespread inflammation caused by a bio-toxin (often mold) in the body that leads to immune system dysfunction. A guest blog by Mike Adams.

“Mold illness” is often described as a subcategory of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), but mold isn’t the only trigger. This same inflammatory response can be caused by exposure to other biotoxins, including Lyme disease.

One healthcare practitioner once told me something that stuck: If you have Lyme disease, there’s a strong chance you’ve spent extended time in a water-damaged home or building. He went on to explain that millions of people carry Lyme bacteria without symptoms—until mold toxins enter the picture. At that point, the immune system becomes overloaded, and symptoms begin to surface.

Why Mold Illness Is So Often Missed

The complex nature of mold-related illness causes many people to spend years bouncing from doctor to doctor, searching for answers. Symptoms are real, persistent, and life-altering—but often difficult to pinpoint.

For a long time, there simply weren’t many answers for people suffering from CIRS. Today, that’s changing. Recent studies, improved testing methods, and a deeper understanding of environmental illness have helped thousands finally connect the dots.

We now know that mold and mycotoxins from water-damaged buildings can trigger a wide range of health issues. Research has identified a specific genetic pattern that affects how the immune system recognizes toxins. This gene plays a critical role in whether the body can properly identify and eliminate mold toxins.

Why 25% of the Population Is More Vulnerable

Studies show that approximately 25% of the population is genetically predisposed to developing CIRS. These individuals do not properly recognize mold toxins as harmful.

When toxins enter the body, they are not “tagged” as enemies. Instead of being eliminated, they remain and trigger ongoing inflammation. Over time, this inflammatory response can manifest as:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Fibromyalgia

• Brain fog

• Depression and anxiety

• Autoimmune-like symptoms

• Neurological issues similar to MS

The symptoms vary, but the root cause is often the same: an overloaded immune system reacting to an environment it can’t tolerate.

Why Mold-Related Illness Is So Confusing

Environmental illness is notoriously difficult to diagnose—especially because most family members may feel perfectly fine.

In a water-damaged home, one person may become severely ill while everyone else appears unaffected. This is often due to genetic susceptibility. Unfortunately, this has led many people with CIRS to be dismissed, misdiagnosed, or even told their symptoms are “all in their head.”

Compounding the problem, traditional medical training rarely emphasizes environmental causes. As a result, mold exposure is often overlooked entirely.

How Modern Homes Made the Problem Worse

Home construction has changed dramatically over the past 40 years:

• Plaster walls were replaced with drywall, which contains paper—a food source for mold

• Porous materials like particle board became standard, absorbing moisture easily

• Homes were sealed tighter in the name of energy efficiency, reducing airflow

While these changes lowered heating and cooling costs, they also created ideal conditions for mold growth. As a result, many homes now have elevated mold spore counts—even without a visible leak or flood.

A Practical Solution for a Healthier Home

All Clear Mold & Pathogen Solutions offers a unique, affordable process designed to address not just mold—but mold toxins and bacteria as well.

In most cases, within a 4–6 hour treatment window, we can reduce indoor mold spore levels to below outdoor levels—without introducing harsh chemicals, heavy metals, phenols, or other harmful substances into your home.

Our goal is simple:To give your family a true fresh start in a healthier living environment.

If you’ve been searching for answers and suspect your home may be part of the problem, addressing the environment is often the missing step toward real, lasting relief.