Blog

VCS & biotoxin insights

Research-backed articles on visual contrast sensitivity, mold, Lyme, and the science behind the screen.

shoemaker protocol

The Shoemaker Protocol, in Plain English

Eleven steps, in order, without the jargon — what the Shoemaker protocol actually does and why the sequence matters.

August 30, 2026· Matt Kelly, Functional Mold Specialist

mold exposure

Mold Exposure Symptoms: The Signs Most Routine Exams Miss

Mold exposure rarely looks like one clear symptom. It looks like a cluster of complaints across multiple systems — and that's the tell.

August 30, 2026· Matt Kelly, Functional Mold Specialist

online vcs test

Can an Online VCS Test Be Trusted? The Limits of Browser-Based Screening

A browser can't replace a FACT chart in a clinic. But used correctly, an online VCS test still tells you something useful — here's what.

August 29, 2026· Matt Kelly, Functional Mold Specialist

biotoxin illness

Biotoxin Illness Screening: From Exposure to a Working Hypothesis

Biotoxin illness doesn't have a single blood test. Here's how a rational screening process works — exposure, symptoms, then biology.

August 28, 2026· Matt Kelly, Functional Mold Specialist

cirs testing

CIRS Testing: What the Diagnostic Criteria Actually Require

The 'CIRS test' people search for isn't a single test. It's a set of criteria — and understanding the steps saves you time and money.

August 27, 2026· Matt Kelly, Functional Mold Specialist

mold toxicity

How to Test for Mold Toxicity: What Actually Helps (and What Doesn't)

Mold toxicity testing is a maze of lab panels, dubious at-home kits, and environmental sampling. Here's how to think about it without the snake oil.

August 26, 2026· Matt Kelly, Functional Mold Specialist

visual contrast sensitivity

Visual Contrast Sensitivity: The Vision Test Eye Doctors Usually Skip

The 20/20 chart measures what you can read. Contrast sensitivity measures what you can almost read — and it's the one that tends to drop first.

August 24, 2026· Matt Kelly, Functional Mold Specialist

vcs test

What a VCS Test Actually Measures (and What It Doesn't)

A plain-English look at visual contrast sensitivity — what the test reads, what it can't tell you, and why a 'pass' means more than a 'fail.'

August 22, 2026· Matt Kelly, Functional Mold Specialist