It’s possible that the bottles of absinthe imbibed back in 19th-century Parisian bars contained up to 260 mg of thujone, a dangerously high dose. The concerning byproduct of wormwood that has the potential to cause hallucinations and erratic behavior is thujone.
However, the absinthe used in these experiments contained a high ratio of pure wormwood extract - the potentially hallucinogenic ingredient - whereas regular absinthe contains a much smaller diluted amount. In the early 20th century, around the time Prohibition was ramping up, absinthe was deemed an especially dangerous elixir. Where did these rumors come from exactly? And does absinthe really cause hallucinations and madness? Well, the answer is complicated.Įarly studies of absinthe focused on the dangerous side effects of concentrated wormwood, which was shown to cause hyperactivity and seizures in animals. However, the Green Fairy became the Green Curse once absinthe was outlawed in much of the Western world due to reported hallucinogenic effects that went far beyond standard alcohol. The name comes from the intoxicating love affair many drinkers had with this liquor, elevating it to the status of an overpowering muse. This spirit has earned numerous nicknames over the years, including “La Fee Verte,” which translates to The Green Fairy or The Green Lady in French. It’s rumored that Van Gogh cut off his own ear under the spell of this mysterious green liquid, but like many legends about absinthe, that’s likely an apocryphal story. It was charged with causing madness and insanity, otherwise known as “absinthism.” As a result, it was deemed much more dangerous than other types of alcohol. However, whiskey, beer, wine, vodka and other popular types of alcohol don’t contain wormwood, which puts absinthe in its own category.Ībsinthe first became popular in 19th century France, where it developed a reputation for its potentially dangerous side effects. Total Wine’s Top 20 Wines Under $20 Prove You Don’t Need to Splurge for Great TasteĪlcohol has well-known psychoactive effects such as euphoria, lowered inhibitions and drowsiness. It contains the molecule thujone - a neurotoxin and GABA antidote that in high quantities can cause psychoactive effects like seizures, erratic behavior and even death - hence the spirit’s legendary reputation. Wormwood is a plant that is native to Europe, North Africa and Asia. Absinthe is produced by infusing a neutral grain spirit with wormwood, among other botanicals, similarly to how gin is produced. The name for absinthe comes from Artemisia absinthium or the “grand wormwood” plant.
Keep reading to learn everything you ever wanted to know about this strange spirit, which has bewitched drinkers for centuries.
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