Ergot, Ergotism, and LSD

Ergot is an interesting little fungus that has produced both helpful and harmful effects on humankind. It is a parasitic fungus that affects certain grain crops, which was responsible for starting its complex relationship with humankind.

Ergot spores are transferred from plant to plant primarily by insects, and the spores begin the complex cycle of ergot infection in cereal crops. Generally, ergot can be responsible for reducing viable crop yields of certain grains. However, the biggest problem stemming from an ergot plant infection is if the infected plants are not discerned and are harvested for either human or animal consumption.

Eating grains infected with ergot either directly or processing the grain into flour can cause a disease called ergotism. The damaging effects of ergotism are caused by certain alkaloids present in the ergot fungus. These alkaloids can cause a plethora of symptoms ranging from vasoconstriction to convulsions to insanity. During the Middle Ages, ergotism was known as "Saint Anthony's Fire" because of that particular order of monk's effectiveness at treating the ailment. During this time when commercial pesticides were unheard of, outbreaks of ergotism were quite prevalent and could affect entire villages that depended on a single baker to make bread. In severe cases, ergotism can lead to death due to the vasoconstriction caused by the damaging alkaloids. If not enough blood reaches extremities, gangrene can occur, as well as a stroke if blood flow is restricted to the brain.

Although isolated incidents of ergot poisoning still continue worldwide, the primary resurgence of ergot has been due to purposeful human infection of grain crops, particularly rye. Why would humans purposely infect crops with a dangerous fungus that can cause a potentially fatal illness? Well, ergot has other more interesting uses.

The primary use of ergot today in human society is in the production of the hallucinogenic drug, LSD. A primary component of LSD, lysergic acid, is prepared from the alkaloids contained in ergot. Speculation about potential hallucinogenic properties of ergot stem from early studies of the fungus and claims that it drove infected people mad. Studies by Albert Hofmann and Timothy Leary at Harvard University in the 1960s revealed ergot's connection with lysergic acid and LSD. LSD, though a powerful hallucinogenic drug, does not carry with it the health risks associated with ergot poisoning. Since the 1960s, the drug has helped users explore new mental and metaphysical realms that were once out of reach to human civilization.

Thus, ergot is a fungus that has both a history as a dangerous infectious agent and also as a primary ingredient in a mind-altering drug. Certainly an organism that deserves caution as well as respect, the ergot fungus is a marvel of nature.