The hallucinogenic effects of the ergot alkaloids have been 
known for centuries in Europe. Claviceps purpurea, parasitic on 
rye and other grasses, has long been used medicinally by 
midwives in cases of difficult childbirth, since ergot acts to 
induce contractions of involuntary muscle and, as a strong 
vasoconstrictor, to help reduce postpartem hemorrhage. During 
the Middle Ages, in rye-consuming areas of Europe, periodic 
poisoning of whole villages with ergotism occurred. Those who 
ate rye bread contaminated with ergot frequently suffered 
gangrene and loss of limbs, hallucinations, permanent insanity, 
and death. The cause of these epidemics was discovered only 
during the 17th Century (Schultes and Hofmann 1980). 
While ergot has probably never been purposefully used as an 
hallucinogen in Europe, an interesting hypothesis has been 
offered that a species of ergot, Claviceps paspali(Schw.) Stevens 
& Hall, may have played a role in the Mysteries of Eleusis in 
ancient Greece, secret rituals which have long puzzled classical 
scholars (Wasson, Hofmann and Ruck 1978). 
3. IBOGA INDOLES 
Apocynaceae 
Tabernanthe Baill. 
Probably the only member of this alkaloid-rich family known 
definitely to be utilized as an hallucinogen is iboga, the yellowish 
root of Tabernanthe Iboga Baill. This narcotic is of great social 
importance, especially in Gabon and nearby portions of the 
Congo in Africa. The religious use of iboga, early reported by 
French and Belgian explorers in the middle of the last century, 
appears to be spreading. In Gabon, it is employed in initiation 
rites of secret societies, the most famous of which is the Bwiti 
Cult. Sorcerers take the drug before communicating with the 
spirit world or seeking advice from ancestors (Fernandez 1972; 
Pope 1969). 
Twelve closely related indole alkaloids have been reported 
from iboga; they comprise up to 6% of the dried roots. Ibogaine 
(XV), apparently the principal psychoactive alkaloid, acts as a 
cholinesterase inhibitor, a strong central stimulant and as an 
hallucinogen (Dybowski and Landrin 1901; Haller and Heckel 
152 
