A large number of contradictory Absinthe information is available online and in books which can confuse a person.

Misleading Absinthe Information

One book “Absinthe The Cocaine of the 19th Century: A History of the Hallucinogenic Drug and its Effect on Artists and Writers in Europe and the United States” by Doris Lanier, compares Absinthe to drugs such as cocaine because it was said to be addictive, to give a sense of euphoria, have psychedelic effects and weaken the brain and other faculties.

The time when Absinthe became famous is known as “The Great Binge”. Several today’s illegal drugs like crack cocaine, morphine and heroin were in use by normal everyday people at this time. and in drinks. Some of the popular drinks in bars were Absinthe, Vin Maraiani and Coca Cola. The Europeans used these drugs and drinks regularly.

Absinthe was linked with these drugs because of its popularity with Bohemian artists and writers and with the loose morals of the courtesans of the Moulin Rouge and Montmartre.

Thujone content in wormwood was believed to be psychoactive and similar to THC in the drug cannabis. Both THC and Thujone are terpenoids and are both from essential oils but THC affects the central nervous system whereas thujone affects the GABA receptors in the brain. A person can have hallucinations and fantasies, euphoric feeling, relieve from pain and an aphrodisiac with the over dose of wormwood.

Absinthe was banned along with some drugs in the early 1900s and was made illegal to buy and sell in many countries around the world. It was restricted because of the hysteria of the time. A number of people and sites pointed Absinthe as magic mushrooms, LSD, weed, cannabis and ecstasy besides relating it with drugs like heroin (the White Fairy), cannabis and cocaine. 

Absinthe Information – What we now know

We know that medical studies on Absinthe and wormwood in the past were not accurate and were “colored” by the prohibition movement of the time and the worry that Absinthe was a drug. Recent studies have proved that one cannot suffer with any harmful side effects or hallucinations due to intake of Absinthe. Even tests on vintage pre ban Absinthe has shown that it hardly contained any thujone at all. A person would die of alcohol poisoning long before suffering any side effects from thujone.

One can enjoy Absinthe all over the world as it has been legalized in many countries.

Because of it’s high proof one has no problem to get drunk on Absinthe. It has twice the alcohol content of spirits so one should be careful while drinking it. Absinthe drunker will feel an intoxication that is different from other spirits or fermented beverages. This type of drunkenness is explained as a “lucid” or “clear headed”. A mixture of sedatives and stimulants can explain this. Some people enhance these qualities by making cocktails containing Absinthe and the caffeine loaded drink Red Bull!

Anyone can be confused by believing on some of the misleading Absinthe information. However, it is a great tasting herbal alcoholic beverage which is fun to prepare and has a great anise flavor. Real, top-quality Absinthe essences is available at AbsintheKit.com which can be used in the making of own wormwood Absinthe.AbsintheKit.com is a fun and economical way to enjoy Absinthe.