We Found Black Mold in Our Ceiling... and Suddenly Everything Made Sense
- ryannshopeapotheca
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
-A parent's story of healing, MTHFR awareness, and how detox changed everything.-
About a month ago, we discovered black mold in our ceiling.
It was the kind of discovery that stops you in your tracks—but along with it came immediate clarity.
Suddenly, all the strange symptoms we had been dealing with made sense.
We were seeing classic signs of mold toxicity in ourselves and our kids:
I was constantly exhausted, nauseous, sweating without reason, and struggling to get through workouts.
My youngest had frequent meltdowns, wild mood swings, and dark circles under his eyes—the kind of things you might write off as behavioral until you realize it’s his nervous system crying out for help.
Brain fog, muscle cramps, wheezing, congestion, irritability—we were all showing different signs, but all the signs were there.
At first, I thought I was just run down. Or maybe just “being sensitive.”
But after finding the mold and connecting the dots, I knew this was deeper.
Why I'm Sharing This
Because you might be going through the same storm without knowing the cause.
And as a parent—and an advocate for real health—I want to share what’s made the biggest difference in our recovery.
For us, the turning point wasn’t just discovering the mold. It was knowing our MTHFR status and understanding how that impacts our ability to detox.
MTHFR & Mold: A Double-Whammy
If you’ve never heard of the MTHFR gene mutation, it affects your body’s ability to methylate—a critical part of detoxing things like mold, heavy metals, and chemicals.
My family is compound heterozygous, and my youngest has the C677T mutation, which puts him at an even higher risk of toxic build-up and nervous system dysregulation.
So what does that mean in real life?
Without MTHFR mutations, detoxing from mold might take 3–6 months.
With MTHFR mutations, it can take 6–12 months or more, and symptoms tend to be more severe.
The body struggles to eliminate toxins efficiently, so they recirculate, causing long-term inflammation, fatigue, and neurological symptoms.
Kids may be misdiagnosed with behavior disorders or anxiety, when in reality, their detox pathways are jammed.
What Helped Us Heal (And Fast)
We immediately started a natural detox protocol tailored to our genetics and symptom load.
The results? Almost immediate shifts—especially when we introduced zeolite.
Here's what made the biggest difference:
✅ Zeolite binders – to trap and remove mold toxins (almost instant relief from brain fog & mood) [Our preferred brand - The Food Movement Co.]
✅ Methylated B vitamins – to support our detox pathways (especially B12 + folate) [Our preferred brand - Triquetra]
✅ Mullein + sauna + red light therapy – to move lymph, clear lungs, and reduce inflammation
✅ Electrolytes, rest, and nervous system support – to calm the storm while healing
We also removed ourselves from the source and created a mold-free sleeping space, which has been crucial.
What Can You Do Right Now
If you're reading this and feeling that familiar gut-pull of "This might be me..."—here’s what I wish I had known sooner:
🔹 Listen to your symptoms. Chronic congestion, fatigue, mood swings, behavioral changes in kids—these aren't “normal.” They’re signals.
🔹 Get tested for MTHFR. Knowing your genetic landscape can help you support your body the right way.
🔹 Start with gentle binders and detox support. Even small steps like hydration, sauna, or zeolite can bring relief.
🔹 Trust your instincts. If something feels off in your home or body, it probably is. You’re not imagining this.
👉 Help with answers about where to start with all of this can be found in the MTHFR ebook linked below!! 👇
💡 From One Parent to Another…
I’ve become a fierce advocate for MTHFR education because I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing it can be to finally understand what your body needs and the profound effect not knowing your status can have on your or your children's lives.
In fact, I co-authored an e-book packed with resources and real-world guidance for families navigating MTHFR and chronic health struggles. If you’re interested, click the book below!
Comments