![]() When the effects of long-term consumption kicked in, these individuals would be sent to sanitariums for their symptoms. The low price point of the resulting product meant that it was mainly imbibed by the lower class. When consumed regularly, this mixture could cause copper toxicity and antimony poisoning-both of which can cause hallucinations. Since absinthe was so popular, some producers used industrial-grade non-potable alcohol and flavored it with commercial oil extracts, says Breaux.īoth the oils and the spirits were clear, so the color and clouding effects were artificially created with copper sulfate and antimony trichloride, respectively. This misconception began in the 19th century when absinthe production wasn’t regulated. Absinthe is hallucinogenic.ĭespite the hype from Hollywood and some brands’ marketing campaigns, absinthe isn’t hallucinogenic. With a little help from research scientist and absinthe expert Ted Breaux, we’ve compiled the five biggest myths about absinthe – and why they aren’t true. Though absinthe is the subject of many nicknames and stories, it’s essentially just an aromatic, high-proof alcohol that has been redistilled with plants and herbs including anise, common wormwood, and fennel. Just remember: Moderation is key-this stuff isn’t called a devil in a bottle for nothing.Scared to meet the Green Fairy after a pour of absinthe? Don’t be. So, yes, you can legally indulge in the legendary spirit. However, absinthe became legal again in the U.S. The ban remained after the 21st Amendment was ratified in 1933. Is Absinthe Legal?Ībsinthe was actually banned in the U.S. The alleged hallucinations, and the rumors that came with them, can likely be blamed on improper distillation techniques involving harmful chemicals and societal influence. But you’d die of alcohol poisoning before you were negatively affected by the drink’s thujone content. So, yes, absinthe will get you very, very drunk. While consuming thujone in extremely high doses can cause convulsions, by the end of distillation, there is very little thujone left absinthe. But do you know what else contains thujone? Oregano-and you don’t see anybody trying to outlaw Italian food. Wormwood contains thujone, which is technically a hallucinogen. The public outcry against absinthe led to bans in the U.S. An infamous Swiss murder committed in 1905 was likely the nail in the coffin for the drink’s reputation. By the early 20th century, many people believed imbibing absinthe led to violent and criminal behavior. ![]() Finally you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world.”Īs the legends grew, so did society’s wariness. “After the second you see them as they are not. ![]() “After the first glass of absinthe you see things as you wish they were,” said Oscar Wilde. Hippocrates prescribed it for everything from menstrual pain to rheumatism, while Ancient Greeks believed that the mixture aided in childbirth.įine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images, Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images,Ībsinthe, which was (and still is) rumored to have hallucinogenic properties, was associated with eccentric geniuses-as drinking it would allegedly open your mind and, if you weren’t careful, cause you to descend into madness. The Green FairyĪbsinthe’s origins are unclear, but alcohol-soaked wormwood leaves have long been used for medicinal purposes. The green color that you’re familiar with comes from the chlorophyll found in these herbs. The resulting liquid may be labeled Blanche or la Bleue absinthe and sold as is, but most manufacturers choose to add herbs to the mixture after distillation. The ingredients are soaked in alcohol and then distilled. Traditionally, it’s made with anise, fennel, wormwood, and various other plants and herbs. But how much of what we know about the Green Fairy is true-and how much of it is legend? What Is Absinthe?Ībsinthe is a distilled, highly alcoholic beverage that can contain anywhere between 55 and 75 percent alcohol by volume (110 to 144 proof). The potent spirit has famously served as a muse to countless artists, including Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway. There’s no denying that absinthe is surrounded by a very special kind of mystique.
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