13. The Salem Witch Trials and Ergot
One of history’s most infamous episodes—the Salem witch trials—has been linked by some historians to ergot-contaminated rye. The bizarre behaviors and hallucinations described in 1692 could reflect symptoms of ergotism rather than witchcraft. While this controversial theory remains debated, it adds another layer of intrigue to ergot’s legacy, highlighting how natural psychedelics may have influenced pivotal events and beliefs in human history.