There is so much contradictory Absinthe information available online and in books, it's hard to know what to believe.
Misleading Absinthe Information
One book “Absinthe The Cocaine of the 19th Century: A History of the Hallucinogenic Drug and its Effect on Artists and Writersin 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 period during which Absinthe became a well known product is known as “The Great Binge”. This was a time when numerous of today's unauthorized drugs such as crack cocaine, morphine and heroin were developed and used by people for medicine, on prescription for coughs etc. One can use it in drinks. Bars used to sell Absinthe, Vin Maraiani and Coca Cola. These drugs and drinks were used widely in the whole Europe.
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, the chemical in wormwood, was also claimed to be psychoactive and similar to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in the drug cannabis (marijuana). The essential oils contain THC which affects the central nervous system and thujone which affects the GABA receptors in the brain. The effects of wormwood is similar to cannabis intoxication when smoked as a joint or consumed in large amount.
Selling and buying of Absinthe was not legal in several countries in the early 1900s. Due to the hysteria of the time it was restricted. People lumped Absinthe, the Green Fairy, together with drugs like heroin (the White Fairy), cannabis and cocaine and even now there are many people and websites who mention Absinthe in the same sentence as magic mushrooms, LSD, weed, cannabis and ecstasy.
Absinthe Information – What we now know
We know that medical studies on Absintheand 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. The quantity of thujone is very less in Absinthe to cause any harmful side effects or hallucinations. Even tests on vintage pre ban Absinthe has proved that it hardly contained any thujone at all. Alcohol can kill a person before the thujone effects.
Studies and research have caused various nations to relegalize Absinthe due to which it can now be enjoyed everywhere across the world.
Anyone can easily get drunk on Absinthe due to it's high proof. One must be careful while consuming it as it has twice the alcohol content. The intoxication experienced from Absinthe is very different from other spirits or fermented beverages. It's explanation is given as a “lucid” or “clear headed” type of drunkenness. The blend of herbs and the alcohol can explain this. A number of people elevate these qualities by preparing cocktails containing Absinthe and the caffeine loaded drink Red Bull!
Anyone can be confused by believing on some of the misleading Absinthe information. The preparation of this anise flavor alcoholic beverage is entertaining. Real, top-quality Absinthe essences is available at AbsintheKit.com which can be used in the making of own wormwood Absinthe.com – a fun and economical way to enjoy Absinthe.
Tags: absinthe, essential oils, wormwood