Ancient Greek priestesses may have turned ergot fungus into a psychedelic brew during the Eleusinian Mysteries

Phys.org

March 2, 2026

The Eleusinian Mysteries were secret religious rites in ancient Greece honoring the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, and aimed to remove the fear of death. The ceremonies included days of fasting, rituals and the drinking of kykeon, a concoction associated with profound mystical experiences.