Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds. Each one has its own personality, in a sense — its own characteristics and tendencies — which helps explain why two people exposed to the same mold can have very different experiences. Knowing which mycotoxin is present can offer helpful context as you explore your options for support.
Why Molds Produce Them
In nature, molds are constantly competing with bacteria and other microorganisms for space and resources. To gain an edge, they release mycotoxins to hold back competing growth. It’s a survival strategy, not something aimed at humans — but unfortunately, we can end up as unintended bystanders in that environmental competition.
Aflatoxin
Aflatoxin is one of the most well-known and extensively researched mycotoxins. It places more demand on the liver than almost any other mycotoxin, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies it as a Group 1 known human carcinogen.
Chaetoglobosin
Think of Chaetoglobosin as mold’s way of pushing back. It’s produced to help mold break through our natural defenses against fungal invasion, which is part of why infections connected to Chaetoglobosin can be harder to resolve over time.
Citrinin
What makes citrinin notable is that it rarely travels alone — it’s frequently found alongside ochratoxin, another mycotoxin known for affecting kidney health. Research suggests that when the two show up together, their combined effects may be more than additive.
Gliotoxin
Gliotoxin goes after the very immune cells your body relies on to keep fungal growth in check. When those defenses are suppressed, mold and yeast have an easier time gaining a foothold — which is why many people dealing with gliotoxin also notice an uptick in yeast-related symptoms.
Mycophenolic Acid (MPA)
MPA is such a powerful immune suppressant that it’s used as the active ingredient in a pharmaceutical prescribed to organ transplant patients to help prevent rejection. That’s valuable in a medical setting, but research suggests environmental exposure to MPA may quietly dampen immune defenses over time.
Ochratoxin
Ochratoxin has earned a reputation as a “persister.” It binds tightly to proteins in the blood and can circulate for extended periods — sometimes weeks — meaning your body may still be working through it well after exposure, even as you focus on other areas of your health.
Trichothecenes
Trichothecenes aren’t a single mycotoxin but a whole family of related toxins, and what sets them apart is speed. They don’t need to be processed by the liver to become active — they enter the bloodstream within minutes of exposure and start acting almost immediately.
Zearalenone
Zearalenone is the primary mycotoxin known for its estrogenic effects. Produced by Fusarium molds in water-damaged buildings and contaminated grains, its structure closely mimics the body’s natural estrogen — closely enough to bind to estrogen receptors and trigger estrogen-like responses.