Psychoactive effects of mould are unclear but cause cognitive impairment

Think spores in old 'haunted' buildings may affect people's brains

in old buildings in New York

They are carrying out their

are probing the link between mould and ghosts

If you think you have seen a ghost, you may have been suffering the effects of exposure to mould, according to a group of scientists.

Researchers claim that older buildings where hauntings are usually reported, often have poor air quality from pollutants like toxic mould, which can affect our brains.

Exposure to the mould can cause mood swings, irrational anger and cognitive impairment.

All an illusion? Researchers claim that older buildings where hauntings (illustrated by a stock image) are usually reported, often have poor air quality from pollutants like toxic mould, which can affect our brains

‘Experiences reported in many hauntings are similar to mental or neurological symptoms reported by individuals exposed to toxic moulds,’ said Professor Shane Rogers of Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.

‘Psychoactive effects of some fungi are well-known, whereas the effects of others such as indoor moulds are less researched.

‘Although allergy and asthma symptoms and other physiological effects are well established, there has long been controversy over the effects of indoor mould exposure on cognitive and other functioning of the brain.

‘Reports of psychiatric symptoms including mood swings, hyperactivity, and irrational anger, as well as cognitive impairment are prevalent among those exposed to moulds.

Brain drain: Exposure to the mould can cause mood swings, irrational anger and cognitive impairment, among other problems. A stock image of toxic mould in the firm of Stachybotrys chartarum spores, is shown

WHY MIGHT MOULD MAKE PEOPLE SEE GHOSTS? 'Ghosts' tend to be sighted in old buildings, which are often more likely to have damp and mould problems. No-one is exactly sure of the psychoactive effects of indoor moulds on the brain. But spores have been linked with mood swings, hyperactivity, and irrational anger, as well as cognitive impairment. Recent reports indicate that exposure to toxic mould spores may cause brain inflammation and memory loss. A team of researchers are exploring whether the mould may cause people to think they have seen ghosts, by comparing conditions in 'haunted' and non-haunted old buildings. Advertisement

‘Other reports include depression and loss of memory function.

‘More recent work is emerging that supports brain inflammation and memory loss in mice exposed to Stachybotrys charatarum, a common indoor air mould, as well as increased anxiety and fear.’

Professor Rogers is currently leading a team of researchers measuring air quality in several reportedly haunted places around New York State.

The group will compare samples taken from several buildings where ghost sightings have been reported with samples taken from properties with no paranormal activity, to see if there is a difference in the types of fungi.

Professor Rogers said: ‘I have long been a fan of ghost stories and shows related to investigation of haunted places and have to admit to some strange occurrences in my own past.

‘Many of the places under investigation and from my own experiences may be prime environments for mould and other indoor air quality issues.

‘We would like to see if we can parse out some commonality between the mould microbiome in places that are haunted relative to those that are not.’

The real ghost busters: Here, undergraduate environmental engineering students (from left to right) Thomas O'Rourke and Daniel C. Schwab work with Professor Shane Rogers to sample air quality in buildings associated with alleged ghost activity

The team have only just begun their investigations, but have been to a handful of ‘haunted’ buildings to collect samples, as well as properties with mould, but no connection to ghosts.

‘In one historic house turned into an office building there have been reports of noises, moving ceiling tiles, moving items on shelves and desks, apparitions, and a general feeling of unease among building occupants,’ he said.

‘There have been long-standing stories of some of the original family members still occupying the place.

‘In another location, the Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg New York, there is a long history of ghost stories involving the former occupants and others.

‘A week prior to our visit, they had a visit from a psychic who took a reading in several rooms in the museum that we then used to target our air quality studies.

‘She reported a few “folks” came to speak with her, children running in and out of some of the rooms in the house, and a woman that claimed she was "not won in a poker game”, which was related to a long-time story related to the Remington family.

‘So far, we haven’t been spooked out of a location, but time will tell.’