by bfv

The risk that mycotoxins might cause permanent mental impairment among scholars and literati is balanced by another, more fanciful, possibility. Other classes of fungal metabolites have different pharmacological properties including the ability, in some cases, to cause hallucinations. Although the hallucinogenic fungi are usually large basidiomycetes, it is not inconceivable that intoxication might follow inhalation of spores from suitable mould fungi in libraries or almost anywhere for that matter. In which case, we should amend the list of ways in which fungi might covertly affect our health to include the enhancement of enlightenment and artistic endeavours by fungal hallucinogens. The source of inspiration for many great literary figures may have been nothing more than a quick sniff of the bouquet of mouldy books.