Ergot fungi are molds that infect rye and other cereals and wild grasses (Microsoft Encarta 1999). The scientific name of the most prevalent form of ergot is Claviceps Purpurea. When wind-tossed spores of ergot land on a healthy stigma of grains or grasses they enter, as does pollen, into the ovary and begin to form a fine mycelial network (Salvador and Kolla 1). The mycelia network commonly called honeydew begins forming asexually produced spores, which are called conidiospores (Walker 546). The honeydew is a sugary-like thing which attract insects who feed on the sugary substance and they in turn carry spores w

hich get stuck to their legs to healthy plants and in turn infect those plants (Salvador and Kolla 1). The mycelial network deep inside the ovary eventually kills the ovary and forms a dense hard structure called a sclerotium. The honeydew is not responsible for the production of the toxic chemicals, which in their own turn causes the disease known as ergotism.

D-lysergic acid diethylamide otherwise known as LSD is synthesized from ergot (228). Perhaps one of the most famous derivatives of ergot is this chemical. In 1938, two Swiss researchers, Hoffman and Stoll, derived d-lysergic acid diethylamide (Salvador and Kolla 2). LSD was relatively uninteresting until one day when Hoffman pulled some out of storage and accidentally took some of the drug and discovered its properties. LSD is one of the most famous psychotomimetic (capable of inducing a mental state that closely resembles psychosis, Webster's, 1147), and was used widely in North America and Europe throughout the 60's & 70's (Salvador and Kolla 2). During this time LSD had widespread use among people who sought to alter and intensify their physical senses; to achieve supposed insights into the universe, nature, and themselves; and to intensify emotional connections with others (Microsoft Encarta 1999). The physical effects of LSD include drowsiness, dizziness, dilated pupils, numbness and tingling, weakness, tremors, and nausea (Microsoft Encarta 1999). After ingesting LSD, the user will experience optical changes, inability to concentrate, phases of uncontrollable laughter, anxiousness, and the quite typical experience of the subject standing outside of the body watching these events (Salvador and Kolla 2). Transient abnormal thinking induced by LSD, such as a sense of omnipotence or a state of acute paranoia, can result in dangerous behavior (Microsoft Encarta 1999). After taking LSD the affects lasts about five to eight h

Some common words found in the essay are:
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