One Take #21: Jordan Peterson, Mold Diagnosis & The CIRS Controversy Explained

Welcome back to Air Quality Matters and One Take as we look into one of the more contentious debates in environmental health – a controversy that's suddenly captured mainstream attention following Jordan Peterson's recent diagnosis with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) linked to mold exposure. When a prominent public intellectual gets this diagnosis, it forces us all to confront an uncomfortable question: what do we really know about the health effects of water-damaged buildings? This episode unpacks the deep divide between two competing narratives about mold and chronic illness. On one side, Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker and his followers describe CIRS as a biotoxin-triggered condition affecting genetically susceptible individuals – about 25% of the population who lack the ability to clear these toxins from their bodies. Their detailed protocol, complete with specific biomarkers like transforming growth factor beta-1 and visual contrast sensitivity tests, has reportedly helped thousands recover from debilitating symptoms: extreme fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain, and respiratory issues that conventional medicine couldn't explain. On the other side stands the medical establishment – the CDC, WHO, and major medical colleges – who don't recognize CIRS as a valid diagnosis. Their argument rests on fundamental toxicology: the dose makes the poison. While nobody disputes that mold causes allergies, asthma, and respiratory infections, mainstream scientists argue that the mycotoxin concentrations in typical water-damaged buildings are orders of magnitude below levels that could cause systemic toxic effects. They point to a critical weakness in the CIRS evidence base: virtually all supporting research comes from Shoemaker's own clinical group, with no large-scale independent validation. The Australian Government's Response: A Pragmatic Policy? Perhaps the most illuminating perspective comes from Australia's formal 2018 inquiry into biotoxin-related illnesses. They listened to everyone – desperate patients, CIRS practitioners, and peak medical bodies. Their conclusion was nuanced: while they sided with mainstream medicine in not recognizing CIRS as a valid diagnosis, they didn't dismiss the patients. Instead, they created a national clinical pathway that takes exposure histories seriously while grounding treatment in evidence-based medicine – a framework for providing compassionate care without endorsing a scientifically contested diagnosis. The episode explores how this creates a self-perpetuating cycle: without mainstream acceptance, it's nearly impossible to secure funding for large studies, but without those studies, mainstream acceptance remains elusive. High-profile cases like Peterson's might finally break this deadlock, forcing the urgent, focused research effort needed to provide clear, independently verified answers. The Universal Agreement Despite the fierce debate over mechanisms and diagnoses, one thing unites all parties: mold is harmful, and remediation of water-damaged buildings must always be the first course of action. Whether you believe in CIRS or stick to conventional medicine, everyone agrees that fixing the environment comes first. This One Take tries to offer a balanced exploration of a polarising topic, acknowledging both the genuine suffering of patients seeking answers and the scientific rigour required to establish new medical paradigms. It's essential listening for anyone trying to navigate the complex intersection of environmental health, medical controversy, and the very human need for answers when conventional medicine falls short. As the Latin phrase reminds us: sola dosis facit venenum – the dose makes the poison. The Air Quality Matters Podcast in Partnership with Zehnder Group - Farmwood - Eurovent- Aico - Aereco - Ultra Protect - The One Take Podcast in Partnership with SafeTraces and Inbiot Do check them out in the links and on the Air Quality Matters Website. If you haven't checked out the YouTube channel its here. Do subscribe if you can, lots more content is coming soon.