Things I Did To Detox From Mold Toxicity

and What I’m Still Doing to Heal

Hi loves…

Back in November I moved into a new apartment, and I'm not even kidding - within DAYS my body started freaking out. I couldn't breathe properly, woke up with puffy eyes, had this ridiculous brain fog, was sneezing non-stop, and then these awful rashes started appearing everywhere. I've dealt with mold exposure before, but this? This was on another level completely.

At first, I thought, "No big deal, I'll just tell the landlord and they'll fix it." But when I shared what was happening on my socials, my DMs exploded with people basically screaming at me to GET OUT IMMEDIATELY. So I listened! Broke my lease (yep, really did that) and found an Airbnb while I searched for somewhere new.

I honestly thought that would be the end of it. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my mold detox journey. The symptoms kept piling up, and I'm STILL detoxing today - and will be for quite some time.

I wanted to share everything I've done and am currently doing to detox from mold, because this experience has been wild, and I know it might help some of you going through similar situations.

Move Out!

Getting out of a moldy living situation was hands down the most critical step in my healing journey, though I know it's not always simple.

When I realized what was happening, I felt overwhelmed. Breaking a lease? Finding a new place ASAP? The financial hit? But sometimes the hardest decisions are the most necessary for our health.

I initially tried to make it work - researched air purifiers, wore masks inside (ridiculous, I know), but you cannot heal while continuously being exposed to what's making you sick. The problem with mold is it's not just what you see - invisible spores and mycotoxins get everywhere. They cling to furniture, clothes, bedding, and build up in your body. Each day you stay means more exposure.

Moving out was chaotic and expensive, but within just THREE DAYS in a clean environment, my constant headaches disappeared. That was all the confirmation I needed. If you absolutely cannot leave immediately, minimize exposure with HEPA air purifiers, open windows when possible, and spend time away from home while making your exit plan. These aren't perfect solutions, but can help reduce exposure while you figure out next steps.

Remember: you deserve to live in a home that doesn't make you sick. This was the hardest part of my mold journey, but also the most necessary step.

Sauna/Infrared Hot Pilates

This has been a total GAME CHANGER in my recovery! I cannot emphasize enough how important sweating has been for my healing process. Sweating is one of our body's natural ways to eliminate toxins, and what makes infrared heat so special is that it penetrates much deeper than regular heat, helping release toxins stored in fat cells.

I started with just 15 minutes in an infrared sauna twice a week because, honestly, that's all I could handle at first. I would feel completely wiped out afterward. But now I've gradually worked up to 50-minute sessions twice weekly. The improvement in my energy levels has been incredible.

I discovered these amazing hot Pilates classes that use infrared heat, and it's literally the perfect combination - I get to strengthen my body while simultaneously sweating out toxins! Just make sure you shower immediately after any sauna or hot exercise session to wash away all those toxins you just sweated out. And pair your workout with a binder, like activated charcoal! Otherwise, they can get reabsorbed through your skin.

Acupuncture

I have been going to an acupuncturist for over 4 years and it makes such a huge difference. Initially, I started acupuncture for balancing hormones, but it’s been a game-changer for detoxing from mold. Helping with the inflammation and supporting my detox pathways. Plus, it has been incredible for reducing my brain fog and boosting my energy levels.

I go at least twice a month, and my acupuncturist focuses specifically on detox pathways and immune support. The first session after my breakout I actually felt worse afterward (apparently that's called a "healing crisis" and is actually a good sign), but after that rough start, each session has left me feeling clearer and more energized.

It's not cheap - I pay about $95 per session - but for me, it's been worth every penny. Some insurance plans actually cover acupuncture now, so definitely check if yours does! I've made it a non-negotiable part of my healing budget.

Glutathione Push With Activated Charcoal

This powerful combo has been absolutely huge for my recovery. If you're not familiar, glutathione is basically your body's master antioxidant and detoxifier. When you're exposed to mold, your glutathione levels can become severely depleted, which makes it even harder for your body to clear out toxins.

I use a double dose of the Cymbiotika Glutathione, and the difference in how I feel before versus after is like night and day. My brain fog lifts, my energy improves, and I just feel... lighter somehow? It's hard to explain until you experience it.

About two hours after my glutathione treatment, I take a Cymbiotika Activated Charcoal (but NEVER at the same time as other supplements or medications!). The timing is really important here. The glutathione helps mobilize toxins from your tissues, and then the charcoal acts like a sponge that binds to those toxins in your gut so they don't get reabsorbed back into your bloodstream.

Rest

This might seem obvious, but it took me forever to actually prioritize it, (and I’m still working on it!) When you're dealing with mold toxicity, your body is already under tremendous stress, and without adequate rest, your detox pathways simply cannot function efficiently.

I had to completely redefine what "rest" means. It's not just about getting enough sleep (although that's crucial - I aim for 8-9 hours every night now on my Avocado organic mattress). It's also about building intentional rest periods into your day. I schedule actual rest time on my calendar now - 20-30 minutes in the afternoon where I lie down with my legs elevated, practice deep breathing, and give my body a chance to process and eliminate toxins.

The hardest part for me was letting go of my pre-mold identity as a "high performer" who was always busy and never rested. I had to accept that healing required slowing down. Now I see rest not as "doing nothing" but as actively giving my body the space it needs to heal.

A Clean, Low-Histamine Diet

This has been one of the BIGGEST game changers in my recovery! When you're exposed to mold, your body's histamine bucket gets completely overloaded. This is why so many of us develop new food sensitivities and allergic-type reactions during mold illness.

So what does this actually look like? I mostly eliminated the major histamine triggers: fermented foods, aged cheeses, cured meats, bone broth, alcohol, vinegar, tomatoes, spinach, and chocolate.

Instead, I focus on fresh, organic proteins (when I’m in a flare up I literally buy meat and freeze it immediately to prevent histamine formation), lots of fresh non-starchy vegetables, limited low-histamine fruits like pears and mangoes, and anti-inflammatory fats like olive oil and avocados. I also incorporate natural antihistamine foods like fresh herbs (especially basil and thyme), apples, pomegranates, Manuka honey, and bee pollen.

I've also had to say goodbye to coffee, which was honestly one of the hardest changes for me. Coffee has just been too stimulating, when I would drink it, my rashes would literally get worse. So, I switched to ceremonial-grade matcha instead. It gives me a gentler energy boost without the crazy stimulation I was getting from coffee. It took about a week to adjust to this switch, but now I actually crave my morning matcha ritual.

Sticking to this felt challenging at first. But as I started feeling better, it became so much easier to maintain. Now I view food as either helping or worsening my recovering system, which has shifted my relationship with the foods I am eating.

Dry Brushing Before Showering

This has become one of my favorite parts of my daily routine! Dry brushing is exactly what it sounds like - using a natural bristle brush on dry skin before showering. It seems so simple, but it's incredibly effective for supporting your lymphatic system, which is crucial for detoxification.

I bought this one from Primally Pure, it’s $20, and spend about 5 minutes brushing my skin before each shower. The technique is important - always brush toward your heart using firm but not painful pressure. I start at my feet and work my way up my legs, then hands and up my arms, then gentle circles on my abdomen (always clockwise to follow your digestive tract), and finally gentle strokes on my neck moving downward.

Make sure to shower immediately after to wash away the dead skin cells and toxins that have been brought to the surface. Replace your brush every few months, as it can accumulate bacteria over time.

Air filter + Water Filter + Shower Filter

Creating a clean environment is absolutely essential when you're detoxing from mold. I invested in high-quality HEPA air filter for my apartment, and it's been worth every penny. I specifically chose ones that also filter VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have carbon filters, since mycotoxins can attach to dust particles in the air. Even in my new, mold-free apartment, I keep this running 24/7. The difference in air quality is something you can actually feel when you walk into the room.

For water filtration, I have a countertop reverse osmosis system in my kitchen and a shower filter in my bathroom. Most tap water contains chlorine and other chemicals that can further burden an already taxed detox system. A shower filter is super important because when you shower in hot water, you can actually inhale chlorine and other chemicals through the steam.

Hydration with Electrolytes

This might sound too simple to make a difference, but proper hydration has been absolutely crucial to my healing. When you're detoxing, you need more water than usual to help flush toxins through your system - but plain water often isn't enough.

I aim for at least 3 liters of filtered water daily, but the game-changer is adding electrolytes. Without minerals, the water you drink doesn't get properly utilized by your cells. I use an electrolyte powder that contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium without anything artificial.

I also start each morning with a large mug of fresh squeezed lemon water and raw Manuka honey. This gentle morning ritual helps support my adrenals (which often get taxed during mold exposure) and kickstarts my detox pathways for the day.

I hope some of these tips help you on your own mold recovery journey! Remember that healing isn't linear, and what works for one person might not work for another. Listen to your body, work with knowledgeable practitioners, and give yourself grace throughout this process. You WILL get better!