Absinthe Hallucinations: Fact or Fiction?

What Is Absinthe?

Absinthe is a potent spirit (a distilled alcoholic beverage produced by concentrating the alcohol during distillation). It is prepared from wormwood, green anise, fennel, and many other herbs. For centuries now, there have been myths about absinthe being a drug that induces hallucinations or causes some kind of bizarre mind-altering experience. But studies show that absinthe lacks such properties. The effect of absinthe is more attributable to the alcohol level in it than to the small amounts of thujone (a neurotoxic substance) that come from wormwood.

What Ingredients Are Used in Absinthe?

Traditionally, the following herbs are used for making absinthe:

• Grand wormwood (Artemisia absinthium).

• Green anise.

• Fennel.

• Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis).

• With lemon balm.

• Herbs with flavor.

This mixture gives absinthe its special taste, aroma, and color.

Why Is Absinthe Called the “Green Fairy”?

The nickname “Green Fairy” refers to the drink’s natural green tint (from the herbs' chlorophyll) and its hallucinogenic effect (due to thujone). This made it popular among painters and authors in the late 1800s. The term "green fairy drink" has come to be associated with creativity, inspiration, and mystery. As time went by, stories about what it did grew larger and larger, and many of the absinthe myths that persist today were born.

How Strong Is Absinthe?

One of the most essential absinthe statistics is the alcohol content. Most absinthe alcohol products include:

• Alcohol by volume (ABV): 45% to 74%.

• 90 to 148 degrees of proof.

This makes absinthe much more potent than beer or wine. Due to this high alcohol concentration, it should always be consumed carefully.

Does Absinthe Really Cause Hallucinations?

Scientific studies reveal that current absinthe does not make people hallucinate when drunk in moderation. This concept is largely based on the myth of the absinthe hallucination, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Most reported hallucinations were more likely to be due to:

• Severe alcohol drunkenness.

• Long-term alcohol abuse.

• Previous production of poor-quality absinthe with harmful toxins.

• Pre-existing medical or mental health concerns.

Why Do People Think Absinthe Causes Hallucinations?

• Many factors led to this belief.

• The effect of the drink was often exaggerated in historical documents.

• Some of the initial absinthe products contained harmful impurities.

• The consumption of alcohol in excess can result in memory loss, perplexity, or altered perception.

A number of myths about absinthe have been passed down from generation to generation. However, none of these are based on scientific proof. The following table attempts to distinguish myths from reality.

Myth	Fact
Absinthe always causes hallucinations	Scientific evidence does not support this for modern absinthe.
Thujone is highly psychedelic	Modern absinthe contains only small regulated amounts of thujone.
Absinthe is banned everywhere	It is legal in many countries under regulated production standards.
Absinthe is more dangerous than other liquors	Its risks mainly relate to its high alcohol content rather than its unique hallucinogenic properties.

What Is Thujone?

Thujone is a neurotoxin that occurs naturally in wormwood, which is the plant from which absinthe is derived. Despite its association with hallucinations, the levels that are allowed in absinthe today do not induce hallucinations.

Where Does Thujone Come From?

Thujone is a compound that occurs naturally in:

• Wormwood.

• Sage.

• Cedar.

• Tansy.

As wormwood is an important ingredient in absinthe, some thujone will naturally be present in absinthe.

How Does Thujone Affect the Brain?

At very high concentrations, thujone can disrupt receptors in the brain that control nerve function. Animal studies suggest very large quantities may cause:

• Seizures.

• Muscle cramps.

• Stimulation of the nervous system.

However, these levels are much higher than those in professionally manufactured absinthe.

Is There Enough Thujone in Modern Absinthe?

Modern absinthe does not contain sufficient amounts of thujone to cause hallucinations or any other psychedelic effects.

The level of thujone in commercially produced absinthes is well below the permitted limit (less than 10 mg/L in the US), and there is no evidence of a mind-altering effect of thujone, according to experts. The effects of absinthe are largely attributed to its alcohol content.

What Are the Effects of Drinking Absinthe?

Absinthe side effects are basically caused by the large amount of alcohol present in absinthe.

1. Short-Term Side Effects

Some common short-term absinthe side effects are the following:

• Relaxation.

• Decrease in inhibition.

• Dizziness.

• Slurring of speech.

• Difficulty in coordination.

• Fatigue.

• Poor decision-making.

2. Long-Term Side Effects

Long-term side effects are similar to those of other alcoholic beverages:

• Alcohol dependence.

• Liver problems.

• Heart disease.

• Memory problems.

• Depression and anxiety.

• Increased cancer risks.

3. Effects Due to Alcohol Content

The large amount of alcohol present in absinthe increases the likelihood of developing the following:

• Fast intoxication.

• Impaired judgment.

• Injuries from falling.

• Unsafe driving.

• Alcohol poisoning.

4. Individual Variation

It should be understood that not everyone reacts to absinthe in the same way. There are certain factors that affect people’s reaction to absinthe:

• Body weight.

• Age.

• Gender.

• Diet.

• Functioning of the liver.

• Speed of alcohol consumption.

• Medications taken.

• Alcohol tolerance.

Can Absinthe Cause Hallucinations in Certain Situations?

It is true that Absinthe does not have any hallucinogenic effects on its own, but there are several circumstances that make it possible. These include mixing drugs, alcohol intoxication, and illicit alcohol consumption.

• Alcohol Intoxication: Absinthe has very high alcohol content, and thus its consumption causes alcohol intoxication, which leads to delirium and visual distortions.

• Mixing with Drugs: Absinthe makes the person more vulnerable to drowsiness, breathing problems, and hallucinations if mixed with recreational drugs or some prescription medicines. It can make patients with certain mental illnesses more vulnerable to the emergence of psychotic symptoms.

• Tainted or Illicit Alcohol Exposure: Improperly made absinthe can be contaminated or have a higher concentration of thujone, affecting the nervous system.

• Very High Levels of Thujone Exposure: Thujone is a neurotoxin that may affect the brain if eaten in very high doses. But with today’s absinthe beverages, thujone levels are very low and controlled and cannot cause hallucinations.

• Contaminated Absinthe Drinks: Cheaply produced alcohol containing toxic compounds such as methanol or salts of copper can lead to poisoning or hallucinations.

Is Absinthe Dangerous?

Absinthe is like any other strong alcoholic drink and has potential health hazards. Most of the risks associated with absinthe are due to the intake of excess amounts of alcohol. It is not because of the presence of wormwood.

1. Alcohol Poisoning and Addiction

Overconsumption of absinthe results in alcohol poisoning, which is a medical emergency. Excessive and long-term use will lead to dependency and addiction.

2. Liver Problems

Excessive consumption of alcohol over time can lead to:

• Fatty liver.

• Alcoholic hepatitis.

• Cirrhosis.

• Liver failure.

• Injuries caused by poor judgment.

3. Accidents and Impaired Judgment

Alcohol greatly increases your chances of having the following:

• Falls.

• Car accidents.

• Injuries at work.

• Violence.

• Engaging in dangerous behavior.

This is one of the major dangers of absinthe that you need to know about.

How Is Absinthe Different From Other Alcoholic Drinks?

Despite absinthe's distinctiveness, several aspects make it quite similar to many other alcoholic beverages.

The main differences between absinthe and other spirits include the following:

• Higher alcohol content.

• Flavor provided by wormwood, anise, and fennel.

• Served traditionally with water and sugar.

• Regulated levels of thujone.

Who Should Avoid Drinking Absinthe?

There are certain groups of people who should not drink absinthe at all.

• Pregnancy - Pregnant women must avoid alcohol since any amount of alcohol can be harmful to fetal development.

• Liver Disease - Individuals suffering from liver disease will have problems metabolizing alcohol, thus making complications likely.

• Epilepsy - Drinking alcohol can cause seizures in some people and affect the efficacy of seizure medications.

• Psychosis and Severe Mental Disorders - People with severe mental illnesses and psychosis must refrain from taking alcohol, as it will worsen their mental state.

• Alcohol Dependence - Recovering addicts with alcohol addiction problems should refrain from drinking any absinthe or alcohol in general.

• Drug Interactions - Absinthe should never be mixed with any drug that interacts with alcohol, such as:

  • Anti-anxiety medications.

  • Painkillers.

  • Antidepressants.

  • Antibiotics.

  • Medications for insomnia.

If you are taking prescription medications, always consult with your health care provider about alcohol usage.

What Is the Right Time to Get Professional Help?

A person suffering from absinthe should be immediately rushed to a hospital or to a medical professional when they show symptoms such as:

• Difficulty breathing.

• Unconsciousness.

• Convulsions.

• Confusion.

• Vomiting repeatedly.

• Blue lips or skin.

• Unable to wake up.

Conclusion

Absinthe is a potent herbal liqueur that has been shrouded in myth throughout history, including its supposed effect of inducing hallucinations. However, recent studies prove that legal absinthes are non-hallucinogenic, and the vast majority of their effects are related to high alcohol content, not thujone.

Excessive consumption of absinthe or any other alcoholic drink may result in severe health risks. Knowing the truth about absinthe will help you make the right decisions about its use. In case of any health conditions or medication, it is recommended to consult a general physician.

Key Takeaways

• Absinthe is a strong herbal liquor that will not produce hallucinations in moderate doses.

• The high alcohol level, and not the modest amount of thujone it has, is the source of most of the effects and health hazards.

• Drinking sensibly and not drinking too much alcohol can help lower the chance of major health problems.