It is not easy to believe on so many contradictory Absinthe informations.

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. Even 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.

The reason to link Absinthe with these drugs was it’s popularity with Bohemian artists and writers and also with the harlots of the Moulin Rouge and Montmartre.

Thujone was also claimed to be psychoactive and same as THC in the drug cannabis. The essential oils contain THC and Thujone which affects the central nervous system and the GABA receptors in the brain respectively. The consumption of wormwood in large quantities give rise to the same effects as caused by the cannabis intoxication.

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. A number of people and sites pointed Absinthe as magic mushrooms, LSD, weed, cannabis and ecstasy besides relating it with drugs like heroin (the White Fairy), cannabis and cocaine.

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. There is scarcely any thujone content in vintage pre ban Absinthe. 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.

It is easy to get drunk on Absinthe because of it’s high proof. The alcohol content in it is double in comparison to spirits like vodka or whisky so care should be taken when drinking it. The intoxication experienced from Absinthe is very different 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. These qualities are also enhanced by preparing cocktails containing Absinthe and the caffeine loaded drink!

Anyone can be confused by believing on some of the misleading Absinthe information. The preparation of this anise flavor alcoholic beverage is entertaining. To make own wormwood Absinthe at home one can visit the site AbsintheKit.com.AbsintheKit.com is a fun and economical way to enjoy Absinthe.