Ideas About Absinthe
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.
During the 19th and 20th century Absinthe became popular all over the world. This was a time in history when many of today’s illegal drugs like crack cocaine, morphine and heroin were developed and used by normal everyday people for medicine, on prescription for coughs etc. It is used in drinks. Popular drinks in bars were Absinthe, Vin Maraiani (cocaine and wine) and Coca Cola (then made from cocaine, wine and kola nuts). The Europeans used these drugs and drinks regularly.
Due to it’s popularity with Bohemian artists and writers and with the courtesans of the Moulin Rouge and Montmartre Absinthe was linked with these drugs.
Wormwood contains thujone which was thought to be psychoactive and alike THC 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. A person can have hallucinations and fantasies, euphoric feeling, relieve from pain and an aphrodisiac with the over dose of wormwood.
In the beginning of 1900s Absinthe was banned along with some drugs in many countries around the world. Due to the hysteria of the time it was restricted. People lumped Absinthe together with drugs and even 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 after distillation Absinthe contains very small amounts of thujone which cannot harm anyone. The tests on vintage pre ban Absinthe showed that it barely contained any thujone. A person would die of alcohol poisoning long before suffering any side effects from thujone.
As many countries has authorized Absinthe so it can now be drunk anywhere across the world.
It is easy to get drunk on Absinthe because of it’s high proof. It has twice the alcohol content of spirits so one should be careful while drinking it. 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. A number of people describe it as a “lucid” or “clear headed” kind of drunkenness. This can be understood with the help of a solution of sedatives and stimulants. By making cocktails containing Absinthe and the drink Red Bull some people enhance these qualities!
A person can be disappointed with some of the confusing Absinthe information. This herbal alcoholic drink can be prepared with enjoyment. AbsintheKit.com is available with real, top-quality Absinthe essences that can be used by an individual to produce his own wormwood Absinthe.It is a fun and economical way to enjoy Absinthe on this site.
