Ergocristine is an ergopeptine and one of the ergot

Ergot

Ergot or ergot fungi refers to a group of fungi of the genus Claviceps. The most prominent member of this group is Claviceps purpurea. This fungus grows on rye and related plants, and produces alkaloids that can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals who consume grains contaminated with its...

 alkaloid

Alkaloid

Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...

s.
It was used as precursor in the manufacture of LSD

LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synaesthesia, an...

 as an alternative for the controlled substances ergotamine and ergometrine by various LSD manufacturers, including William Leonard Pickard

William Leonard Pickard

William Leonard Pickard is one of two people convicted in the largest lysergic acid diethylamide manufacturing case in history. In 2000, while moving the LSD laboratory, Pickard and Clyde Apperson were pulled over while driving a Ryder rental truck and a follow car...

. The usage of ergocristine by Pickard

William Leonard Pickard

William Leonard Pickard is one of two people convicted in the largest lysergic acid diethylamide manufacturing case in history. In 2000, while moving the LSD laboratory, Pickard and Clyde Apperson were pulled over while driving a Ryder rental truck and a follow car...

 alerted the DEA

Drug Enforcement Administration

The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...

 and the DEA proposed controlling the chemical as an official precursor

Precursor (chemistry)

In chemistry, a precursor is a compound that participates in the chemical reaction that produces another compound. In biochemistry, the term "precursor" is used more specifically to refer to a chemical compound preceding another in a metabolic pathway....

 for LSD

LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synaesthesia, an...

manufacture.