Ideas About Absinthe
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 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.
During the 19th and 20th century Absinthe became popular all over the world. This was a time in history when most of today’s illegal drugs was used by normal everyday people for different purpose. Also in drinks. Popular drinks in bars were Absinthe, Vin Maraiani (cocaine and wine) and Coca Cola (then made from cocaine, wine and kola nuts). As these drugs and drinks were all thought to be harmless so they were widely consumed throughout Europe.
Absinthe was linked with these drugs because of its popularity with Bohemian artists and writers, who liked to overindulge to help their creativity, and with the loose morals of the courtesans of the Moulin Rouge and Montmartre.
Thujone was claimed both psychoactive and similar to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in the drug cannabis. 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.
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. Due to the hysteria of the time it was restricted. Drugs like heroin (the White Fairy), cannabis and cocaine were lumped with Absinthe and also lots of people and websites mention it 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. Recent studies have shown that Absinthe, once it is distilled, only contains very small amounts of thujone – not enough to cause any harmful side effects or hallucinations, that is just a myth. The tests on vintage pre ban Absinthe showed that it barely contained any thujone. 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.
A person can easily be drunk on Absinthe because of it’s high proof. It should be drunk carefully because it contains double amount of the alcohol. If you do get drunk on Absinthe you will probably experience a very different intoxication than you would experience 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 few people improve these qualities by making cocktails containing Absinthe and the caffeine loaded drink Red Bull!
The misleading Absinthe information can disappoint a person. One can have fun to prepare this herbal alcoholic beverage. 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.
