{"podcast":{"title":"The Strange History Podcast","slug":"the-strange-history-podcast-6015497","podcast_index_feed_id":6015497,"rss_url":"https://www.spreaker.com/show/5773362/episodes/feed","website_url":"https://www.strangehistorypod.com/","image_url":"https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/e6ba8897445c11735ef9cde1ad7a0aad.jpg","author":"Strange History","episode_count":450,"summary":"The Strange History Podcast explores the forgotten, bizarre, and mysterious stories that history left behind. Each episode uncovers strange but true tales from the past—unsolved mysteries, unusual events, odd historical figures, and the eerie legends that shaped cultures around the world. Whether it's ancient curses, unexplained disappearances, or bizarre moments in world history, hosted with a passion for the weird, this podcast takes you deep into the darker and more curious corners of the historical record. Perfect for history buffs, mystery lovers, and curious minds alike, The Strange History Podcast brings the past to life—one strange story at a time. New episodes weekly. Dive into the weird side of history today. If you have an idea for an episode please email strangehistorypod@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support .","last_synced_at":"2026-07-30T14:19:02.473212+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast-6015497"},"episode":{"title":"The Bread That Made People Go Mad: Ergot, Hallucinations, and Witch Trials, When Food Turned Deadly","slug":"the-bread-that-made-people-go-mad-ergot-hallucinations-and-witch-trials-when-food-turned-deadly","published_at":"2026-05-11T04:05:02+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast-6015497/the-bread-that-made-people-go-mad-ergot-hallucinations-and-witch-trials-when-food-turned-deadly","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast-6015497","url":"https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-bread-that-made-people-go-mad-ergot-hallucinations-and-witch-trials-when-food-turned-deadly--71260332","audio_url":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/op3.dev/e/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71260332/elevenlabs_untitled_project_79.mp3","summary":"What if bread could make you hallucinate? In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the dark and unsettling history of ergot poisoning, a fungus that contaminated rye bread and caused mass hallucinations, convulsions, paranoia, and outbreaks of madness across medieval and early modern Europe. Known as ergotism or “St. Anthony’s Fire,” this condition led to terrifying symptoms that were often mistaken for demonic possession or witchcraft. We dive into real historical outbreaks from 944 CE through the 1600s, the science behind ergot alkaloids, and how contaminated food may have influenced human behavior on a massive scale. We also explore the controversial theory linking ergot poisoning to the Salem Witch Trials, examining whether environmental conditions and food contamination could have contributed to one of the most infamous events in American history. This episode blends food history, science, and eerie true events to uncover how something as simple as bread may have shaped fear, belief, and mass hysteria. Perfect for fans of dark history, strange facts, true mysteries, and unsettling scientific discoveries. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast--5773362/support . 🎧 The Strange History Podcast Love bizarre true stories, forgotten scandals, and history’s most unhinged moments? Submit your ideas for The Strange History Podcast Follow The Strange History Podcast wherever you listen and never miss an episode. 🔗 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeartRadio Audible New episodes regularly. History gets weird here.","meta_description":"What if bread could make you hallucinate? In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the dark and unsettling history of ergot poisoning, a…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":620,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-strange-history-podcast-6015497/episodes/the-bread-that-made-people-go-mad-ergot-hallucinations-and-witch-trials-when-food-turned-deadly/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-strange-history-podcast-6015497/the-bread-that-made-people-go-mad-ergot-hallucinations-and-witch-trials-when-food-turned-deadly.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}