# I just ate some green moldy bread--am I gonna die? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 26, 2004, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191 "2004-09-26T19:37:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/1 "2004-09-26T19:37:59Z")
I just casually go to the kitchen , take a slice of bread, spread some mayo, add a slice of Swiss, and eat. The I take another slice of bread from the bag, and --lo and behold–it’s got measles. Eight little green spots. So I check the next slice–and its got 4 green spots. So I do the math, counting backwards–…the slice I just ate, being closest to the opening, must have had not 4, not 8, but 12 green moldy spots. Ick! But then I say to myself, no problem, the greatest medical discovery in the 20th century was only made because some lab tech left his petri dishes out and they got moldy.(and so we now have antibiotic medicines). So then I says to meself–well what the heck is that green stuff, anyway? A bunch of spores growing. So why is it bad for me? Sure it looks disgusting, but is it really bad for you ? Whenever I see a single spot of mold, it looks so bad that I throw away the whole loaf of bread, even though they say you only have to cut out the moldy spot, and the rest is okay. But what’s actually growing inside that green stuff? And how much of it would you have to eat for it to be actually affect your health? ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/2 "2004-09-26T19:41:38Z")
[Live long and prosper.](http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen01/gen01509.htm) > [@](#): > > Bread molds are “benign” meaning that they are generally not harmful. Molds are a complex group of fungi, and all fungi should be regarded with caution… Then again, maybe, as it does say ‘generally’…Better write out a will, just in case. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/3 "2004-09-26T19:55:13Z")
You’ve got a gut full of [these](http://www.geocities.com/thesciencefiles/microscope/slidebreadmold.html) now. Good eatin’! Other than the possibility of your penis dropping off there are no serious side effects. If you have no penis your worries are over. See [Scientists unravel the DNA secrets of bread mold](http://health_info.nmh.org/HealthNews/reuters/NewsStory042320034.htm) ---
**Author:** ![W.Fikere\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@W.Fikere\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/W.Fikere_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/4 "2004-09-26T19:57:06Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > I just casually go to the kitchen , take a slice of bread, spread some mayo, add a slice of Swiss, and eat. > The I take another slice of bread from the bag, and --lo and behold–it’s got measles. Eight little green spots. So I check the next slice–and its got 4 green spots. So I do the math, counting backwards–…the slice I just ate, being closest to the opening, must have had not 4, not 8, but 12 green moldy spots. Or maybe 16! You should have checked a third slice. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/5 "2004-09-26T20:14:01Z")
Yes, **chap,** I’m afraid you are going to die. Can I have your DVD collection? ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/6 "2004-09-26T20:38:20Z")
Some years ago I read of mould on bread being responsible for causing hallucinations. Unfortunately in some cases the effects were fatal. This was in the 18th century so things may not be a serious these days. If the pattern on your wallpaper turns to catherine wheels and you have seals wandering through you abode, take a walk down to the ER. No cite, I’m afraid, and it was a long time ago, don’t remember the source. ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/7 "2004-09-26T20:47:45Z")
You’re probably thinking of rye ergot. So, **Chap** , was it rye bread? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/8 "2004-09-26T20:49:53Z")
> [@Myglaren](#): > > Some years ago I read of mould on bread being responsible for causing hallucinations. From the Wikipedia ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergot](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergot)): > [@](#): > > An **Ergot** kernel is the sclerotium formed instead of the grain, when a grain blossom is infected by the spore of the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Ergot is known to affect cereal crops and grasses such as rye (most often), triticale, wheat and barley. It does not often affect oats. When the Ergot kernel drops to the ground it remains there dormant until proper conditions trigger its fruiting phase which is that of a Fungus. Its fruiting body is a tiny Mushroom; which in turn releases spores to continue its live cycle. > > Ergot infection causes a reduction in the yield and quality of grain and hay produced, and if infected grain or hay is fed to livestock it causes a disease called Ergotism. > > Ergot contains alkaloids of the ergoline group, which have a wide range of activities including effects on circulation and neurotransmitter function. Among those who studied ergot and its derivatives was Albert Hofmann, whose experiments led to the discovery of LSD, a powerfully hallucinogenic ergot derivative that strongly affects the neurotransmitter serotonin. > > **History** > > The disease cycle of the ergot fungus was first described in the 1800s, but the connection with ergot and epidemics among people and animals was known several hundred years before that. > > Human poisoning due to the consumption of rye bread made from ergot infected grain was common in Europe in the Middle Ages. > > It has also been posited—though speculatively—that the Salem Witch Trials were initiated by young women who had consumed ergot-tainted rye. > > The beverage consumed by participants in the ancient Greek mystery of Eleusinian mysteries might have been based on hallucinogens from ergot. > > Some passages in the Bible have been interpreted by some to refer to ergot or ergotism, such as e.g. John 4:31-32 ([John 4:31-38 - KJV - In the mean while his disciples prayed him, say...](http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=John%204:31-38§ion=0&version=kjv)) (one of the effects of ergot alkaloids is to suppress immediate hunger). Other passages report Jesus and his disciples walking in fields collecting heads of grain (Matthew 12:1, Mark 2:23, Luke 6:1). A possible interpretation of Mark 9:43 equates the reference to “hell fire” with St. Anthony’s fire, although other interpretations considering the context of Mark 9:38-48 ([Mark 9:38-48 - KJV - And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw o...](http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Mark%209:38-48§ion=0&version=kjv)) are more common, and the same is true for all the other cited passages. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/9 "2004-09-27T04:54:58Z")
You’re probably OK, but there are some common species of bread molds that make proteins known as aflatoxins, which are among the most potent carcinogens known to science. So don’t make a habit of it. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/10 "2004-09-27T12:46:27Z")
Well, my uncle had the same thing happen, and 50 years later he dies. :eek: I’d be cautious. ---
**Author:** ![Iceland\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@Iceland\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iceland_Blue)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-some-green-moldy-bread-am-i-gonna-die/266191/11 "2004-09-27T12:52:26Z")
On the basis he hasn’t posted since informing us of his munching the mold,I’d say he’s dead.Let’s go get his property…Beware…we can only claim the reward if we have 51% of the carcass! 🆒