Ergot
BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION
Family :
Hypocreaceae
Genus :
Claviceps
Species :
purpurea (rye); africana (sorghum); paspali
COMMON NAMES
Ergot
EFFECTS CLASSIFICATION
Deadly Poison; Psychedelic
DESCRIPTION
Ergot is a fungus that infects cereal grains, replacing kernels of the fruit with small black masses of mycelium. It produces ergotamine, a potent vasoconstrictor and precursor to LSD. Ergot poisoning (St Anthony's Fire) causes hallucinations, gangrenous loss of limbs, and death. Outbreaks plagued medieval Europe and were associated with witchcraft and the Inquisition.
GENERAL INFORMATION #
Ergot Alkaloids Article, Kobel & Sanglier (PDF)
HISTORY #
RESEARCH & JOURNAL ARTICLES #
The Witch Trials of Finnmark, Northern Norway, [...]: Evidence for Ergotism as Contributing Factor - 2004
Ergot - a rich source of pharmacologically active substances - A. Hofmann, 1972
CULTIVATION #
EXPERIENCES #
Submit a Report to our Experience Vaults
BOOKS #
The Road to Eleusis, by R. G. Wasson, A. Hofmann, and C. Ruck
OFF-SITE RESOURCES
PRIMARY RESOURCES #
Claviceps purpurea Polymorhpism (web archive version)
Forged in St Anthony's Fire, Hart 1999
Ergot of Rye - Introduction and History, Botany.Hawaii.Edu
SECONDARY RESOURCES #
ARTICLES & WRITINGS #
MEDIA COVERAGE #
Did the CIA Really Dose a French Village With LSD?, Mar 12 2010, Atlantic Wire
FDA Warns Migraine Medicine Makers, Mar 1 2007, SF Chronicle
IMAGES #
Ergot Photos - great