You've tried melatonin. You've tried the sleep hygiene routine. But if your problem is waking at 3am, grinding your teeth, or never feeling rested, the answer probably isn't in your bedroom. It's in your biology.
Key Takeaway
Mold toxicity directly depletes melatonin by accumulating in brain tissue and disrupting neurological hormone production, which is why standard sleep supplements often don't work for mold-burdened patients. Parasites compound this by being most biologically active at night, causing the restlessness, itching, and teeth grinding that disrupts sleep architecture at its foundation.
Could Mold Toxicities and Parasitic Infections Cause Your Sleep Problems?
Yes, mold and parasites have the ability to significantly impact the quality and quantity of your sleep. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 adults do not get enough sleep. If you are consistently waking up tired, waking up multiple times a night, and having trouble falling asleep, mold and/or parasites may be the major root causes for your issues. Similarly, they may cause excessive snoring, teeth grinding (bruxism), and sleep apnea.
How Does Mold Affect Sleep?
Toxic mold exposure is associated with symptoms such as chronic fatigue, brain fog, mental disorders (depression, anxiety, etc.), digestive problems, respiratory issues, heart palpitations, joint pain, eye problems, and more.
A 2020 study with 11,318 people found that baseline floor dampness, visible mold, and a mold odor at home/work was associated with "difficulty initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS), early morning awakening (EMA), insomnia symptoms, snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)."
Mold releases toxic compounds called "mycotoxins" into the body. A 2003 study states that "although sleep is commonly considered a restorative process that is important for the proper functioning of the immune system, it could be disturbed by mycotoxins. Most likely, mycotoxins exert some rigorous effects on the circadian rhythmic processes resulting in sleep deprivation."
Additionally, mold/mycotoxins are assimilated into the fatty tissue and cells of the body. Since the brain is made up of mostly fat, mold tends to assemble in the brain, causing neurological dysfunctions, thyroid problems, low growth hormone, and unbalanced melatonin production. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, can plummet or stop being produced altogether in patients with a mold toxicity.
What Can I Do if Mold is Affecting My Sleep?
The most important step to take when dealing with mold toxicities is to get out of the moldy environment. Steps to take when mold is affecting your sleep include:
- Keep a mold-free bedroom. Ensure proper ventilation, use an air purifier, and remove any potential sources of mold.
- Open your drainage pathways. Without open drainage pathways, the body is unable to safely escort mold toxins out of the body.
- Use binders. Binders such as Biotoxin Binder by Cellcore bind to mold/mycotoxins and safely escort them out of the body.
- Consider supplementing with melatonin. Since mold can deplete melatonin levels, supplementing with Liposomal Melatonin may be helpful.
How Do Parasites Affect Sleep?
A 2015 study states that "parasitic infections can alter sleep patterns, due to the resulting immune response or through direct effects." Parasites are also known to be most active during the night. They may cause restlessness, itching (especially around the anal area), teeth grinding (bruxism), and frequent urination at night.