Cursed Crops: How Ergot Poisoned History

Okay, But Why?!...A Science and Pop Culture Podcast

In this episode of Okay, But Why?, we dive deep into the sinister world of ergot – a toxic fungus that has plagued human history through tainted grains. For centuries, ergot outbreaks have caused mass sickness and death, unleashing terrifying symptoms like hallucinations, seizures, gangrene, and madness. But how did this deadly fungus creep into the food supply, and why did it have such devastating effects on entire communities? From the eerie links to historical witch trials to its role in medieval epidemics, we explore the chilling legacy of ergot poisoning and how a microscopic fungus left its mark on human history. Join us for a journey into the strange and unsettling world of ergotism, where one wrong bite could be fatal.

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