What is ergot and why is it important?
Ergot is Claviceps purpura, a dark mold-like fungus that grows especially well on rye after it is cut and stored. It is important because it was analyzed as a precursor for pharmaceuticals and a number of very useful products have been made from it. Ergot alkaloids themselves are used for migraine headaches, as vasoconstrictors and heart medicines and even abortifacients. Derivatives of ergot such as ergocriptine, bromocriptine, methysergide, mesylic acid of ergotamine are used as anti-parkisonian drugs because of their peripheral dopamine agonist activity, and are sometimes used as adjunct therapy for cocaine addiction. The most important (arguably I guess) addition to the world from ergot is LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) one of the most potent and famous psychotropic drugs synthesized by Albert Hoffman directly from ergot alkaloids. Ergot itself can be toxic and act as a hallucinogen. In Europe there are many historical accounts of ‘breakouts of madness’ or bizarre behavior that a
