Effects of ingesting mold on your brain?

Question

What are the neurological effects? Can it do brain damage?

This is bread mold by the way.

Thanks.

Answer 1

There are some molds that can get into your brain and cause lesions and swelling and the resulting brain damage. Its very very dangerous. But mold on bread is not likely to do this to you.

Answer 2

There are various types of mold that grow on food. Typical species include Aspergillus niger (a black mold), and various species of Penicillium (usually green), plus others.

There is very little risk from ingesting moldy food (bacterial contamination, which often accompanies mold is a much more serious risk). You probably do it all the time without noticing it anyway. If you inhale large quantities of Aspergillus spores you can have breathing problems, but it's EXTREMELY unlikely that you could find enough mold in you house to pose a risk.

Some species of Aspergillus do produce Aflatoxin, a mutagenic mycotoxin, but humans have a fairly high resistance to this and you would have to consume a significant quantity of VERY contaminated food to do any damage.