📙 S7:6 - Rye Madness and the Salem Witch Trials

In September 1692, one of the darkest moments in colonial American history came to a close as eight final victims lost their lives on the hanging rope on Gallows Hill, thanks to accusations of witchcraft. It's a subject that has been covered historically, scientifically, and mostly as spooky entertainment. There are several theories as to why Salem descended into madness during the year 1692. In this episode, we'll look into a study that appeared in Science Magazine fifty years ago this week, that examined the evidence and hypothesized that the madness around the village may have been due to a popular grain and a parasitic fungus called Claviceps purpurea or Ergot. It's a theory that made headlines throughout the country back in 1976. But is there any validity to the argument? It's time to dive into what some call ergot poisoning and others call rye madness.

You can listen to 📙 S7:6 - Rye Madness and the Salem Witch Trials online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

📙 S7:6 - Rye Madness and the Salem Witch Trials is an episode from Whiskey Lore: Stories by Travel Fuels Life, LLC (dba Whiskey Lore).

This episode is 33:50 long.

This episode was published on Mar 16, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Whiskey Lore: Stories when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.