Ergot Fungus & Witchcraft: Holy Fire, and Visions of Hell

Ergot is one of the most influential organisms you’ve probably never heard of.In this episode, we break down what ergot actually is, how it infects crops, and what happens when humans consume it. We explore historical outbreaks of ergotism that caused convulsions, hallucinations, paranoia, and even gangrene, and examine the theory that ergot poisoning may have contributed to waves of witchcraft accusations in early modern Europe.We also trace ergot’s transformation from feared contaminant to pharmaceutical resource, culminating in the synthesis of LSD by Albert Hoffman in the 20th century.From mass hysteria to modern chemistry, from burning stakes to laboratory breakthroughs, this episode covers the science, the myths, and the lasting impact of a fungus that shaped history in ways few people realise.Sources:https://salemwitchmuseum.com/2023/05/17/debunking-the-moldy-bread-theory/http://old.absentis.org/ergotism/the_witch_trials_of_finnmark_norway.pdfhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6640538/https://www.worldhistory.org/St_Anthony's_Fire/https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/historicalstudies/events/talk-cursed-breadhttps://www.albertagrains.com/the-growing-point/articles-library/understanding-ergot-outbreaks-and-how-to-manage-them?back=1094