For centuries, the Eleusinian Mysteries have hovered between history and hearsay: a major Greek initiation rite that everyone knew was transformative, yet almost no one could describe in detail without risking severe punishment. Now, a newly published study has taken aim at the Mysteries’ most tantalizing loose end - what, exactly, initiates drank. The authors argue that a dangerous ergot fungus could have been chemically processed into milder, psychoactive compounds using techniques available in antiquity, potentially offering a practical route to a “visionary” kykeon without mass poisoning. The idea isn’t brand new, but the work gives the debate a fresh jolt because it tests a concrete preparation method rather than leaning on vibes, metaphors, or modern wishful thinking. Coverage by