Ep 15. Is Mold Making You Sick? Jason Earle of GOT MOLD? - Pt. 2
Join me in part two with Jason Earle of GOT MOLD?, where we uncover the often-overlooked essentials of maintaining pure, life-sustaining air within the walls we call home.
In this episode, I am chatting with Jason Earle, a seasoned expert in mold and air quality, explore the surprisingly significant role that indoor air quality plays in our overall health and well-being. Buckle up as we uncover actionable insights that could transform your living environment and, ultimately, your life.
The Silent Guardian: Your Home As an Extension of Your Immune System
Jason Earle emphasizes a profound idea: your relationship with your home is the single most important relationship in terms of health and longevity. Think of your home as an extension of your immune system. For it to protect you, the air quality has to be impeccable. If not, it could be actively harming you without you even knowing it.
Earle states, "Buildings are an extension of our immune system and that we have this really unique relationship with them. I would actually assert that your relationship with your home is the single most important relationship you have in terms of health and longevity, because it is ideally protective; but if it’s not, then it is actually harmful."
The Challenge of Accurate Mold Testing
One of the primary concerns raised is the unreliability and misuse of current mold-testing methods. Jason Earle notes that microbial volatile organic compound testing, while accurate in terms of data, often leads to false interpretations—resulting in unnecessary and costly remediation projects. "People are taking these mycotoxin panels, scaring the shit out of themselves...and then they're going and doing an inspection using ERMI. Next thing you know, they’ve got a hundred thousand dollars remediation out of it, whether there's a mold problem or not."
False positives can be particularly troubling because they lead to stress, financial burden, and often no improvement in health. The interpretation of test results requires a nuanced understanding and careful consideration before jumping to conclusions.
Mind Over Matter: The Power of Attitude in Health and Recovery
Susan Robbins underscores the crucial role of mindset and attitude in addressing health challenges. "You can manage your air quality and diet all you want, but without the right attitude, you're leaving a crucial piece of the puzzle out."
Supporting this, Jason discusses the Dynamic Neural Retraining System (DNR), a method aimed at desensitizing the limbic system to perceived threats. Techniques like Primal Trust can also play a pivotal role in detoxification and recovery. "If you decide you want to get better, disconnect from negative groups. The first step to recovery is believing you can get better."
Environmental Conditions: The Ideal vs. the Rugged
Jason advocates for environments that mimic natural settings to improve health. Maintaining specific environmental conditions (68-72 degrees, 45% humidity) and ensuring adequate air quality can make a world of difference. A controlled environment is analogous to a plant in a greenhouse, whereas enduring a harsh environment can build resilience, akin to a "craggy tree" that has adapted to extreme conditions. The key is finding balance—utilizing modern comforts while staying connected to nature.
The Role of Trigeminal Nerve Irritation and Sensitization
One fascinating topic discussed is the impact of trigeminal nerve irritation on our sensitivity to our environment. The trigeminal nerve, responsible for sensory input in the face, can trigger inflammation and cytokine storms when irritated. This irritation can lead to symptoms that mimic those caused by toxins, adding another layer of complexity.
Interestingly, there's a correlation between anxiety and trigeminal nerve sensitivity, creating a vicious cycle: higher anxiety leads to higher sensitivity and vice versa. Addressing this through neural retraining can help break the cycle and reduce sensitivity.
Actionable Insights for a Healthier Home
The episode closes with practical advice:
1. Monitor Air Quality Regularly: Use humidifiers cautiously and aim to maintain indoor humidity between 40-60%.
2. Avoid Synthetic Fragrances: These can contribute to poor air quality and unnecessary irritation.
3. Embrace Nature Therapy: Spending time outdoors and keeping windows open can reconnect us with natural microbial diversity.
4. Mindful Attitude: Cultivate a mindset geared towards recovery and avoid negative, unsupportive communities.
The relationship with our homes goes far beyond comfort. Air quality directly influences our health and longevity, making it crucial to be vigilant and proactive about maintaining a healthy living environment. By adopting actionable strategies and fostering a positive mindset, you can create a sanctuary that enhances both physical and mental well-being. Now, isn't that worth prioritizing over material possessions and vacations?
Learn About Jason:
Jason Earle is a man on a mission. An adoring father of two boys in diapers, incurable entrepreneur and indoor air quality crusader, he is founder & CEO of GOT MOLD?, and the creator of the GOT MOLD?® Test Kit.
The realization that his moldy childhood home was the underlying cause of his extreme allergies and asthma, led him into the healthy home business in 2002, leaving behind a successful career on Wall Street.
Over the last two decades, Jason has personally performed countless sick building
investigations, solving many medical mysteries along the way, helping thousands of families recover their health and peace of mind. He has featured or appeared on Good Morning America, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Dr. Oz Show, Entrepreneur, Wired, and more.