Can Absinthe Actually Cause Hallucinations?

When absinthe, also known as la fée verte (the Green Fairy), was banned across countries like France, Switzerland, and the United States in the early 1900s, it gained a reputation for encouraging rebellious acts. It was even blamed for corrupting youth, promoting immoral behavior, and fueling violent crimes.

The fact that regular alcohol faced similar prohibition during the Prohibition era in the United States is ironically fitting: today, we know that well-crafted absinthe is no more hazardous than any other carefully distilled spirit.

What about those stories of hallucinations, Oscar Wilde and his tulips, family murders, and sudden death? Technically, absinthe isn’t to blame. While it does contain a very high alcohol content — ranging from 55 to 75 percent alcohol by volume (110 to 150 proof) — this strength far exceeds whiskey’s typical 40 percent (80 proof). This is why absinthe is meant to be diluted.

What Is Absinthe?

Absinthe is a spirit flavored with anise. Since authentic absinthe is free of added sugar, it’s classified as a neutral spirit rather than a liqueur.

The classic method of crafting absinthe involves soaking anise, fennel, and grand wormwood (the “holy trinity”) in alcohol, followed by distillation. Other herbs and flowers may be added in some recipes. The distillation separates the herbal oils and alcohol from the water and the bitter essences released by the plants.

Once the fennel, anise, and wormwood oils recombine with the alcohol in a cooling chamber, the distiller adjusts the proof to the desired level (according to brand or regional laws). At this stage, absinthe is clear, and many producers add culinary herbs after distillation to achieve its signature green hue from chlorophyll.

Can Drinking Absinthe Lead to Hallucinations?

Absinthe is not a hallucinogen; its distinctive herbal flavor and high alcohol content simply make it stand out from other spirits.

Understanding Thujone's Role

The substance linked to absinthe’s supposed hallucinogenic effects is thujone, a compound found in grand wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). In extremely high quantities, thujone can be toxic. It acts as a GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) blocker, interfering with GABA receptors in the brain, which, in excessive doses, could lead to seizures.

Thujone is present in a variety of foods but always in levels too low to cause harm. And there's not enough thujone in absinthe to be dangerous; most of it evaporates during the distillation process.

In the U.S., the thujone content in absinthe is limited to 10 milligrams per liter, whereas in Europe, it can reach up to 35 milligrams per liter. Modern science suggests that any risks of absinthe consumption are far outweighed by the potential for alcohol poisoning, which would occur long before any effects from thujone. In fact, there’s no evidence to support the claim that thujone can cause hallucinations, even in high doses.

Based on current research into absinthe and its ingredients, any deaths linked to the drink are most likely the result of alcoholism, alcohol poisoning, or the consumption of low-quality absinthe, which, much like moonshine, can contain harmful additives.

What About Those Legendary Tales?

For clarity, the Swiss man who killed his family in 1905 — an incident that fueled numerous absinthe bans and even a constitutional amendment — had indeed been drinking absinthe since the moment he woke up, continuing throughout the day (and the previous day, and the one before that).

As for Oscar Wilde? There's no doubt that the poet imagined seeing tulips on his legs as he stepped into the morning light after an evening spent drinking absinthe at a local bar — but let's just chalk it up to a touch of artistic flair.

Absinthe is now legal in every country where alcohol is permitted. In 2007, the United States lifted its century-long ban, allowing European distillers to once again export the Green Fairy across the Atlantic. As a result, mixologists and absinthe enthusiasts are debating whether the latest versions truly capture the authentic spirit [source: Time].

A Brief History of Absinthe

According to the "Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails," absinthe’s origins trace back to late medieval Europe, where it was originally used as a medicinal tonic. The use of wormwood for therapeutic purposes, however, dates back to ancient Egypt.

Absinthe became popular in Europe during the latter half of the 19th century, when a grapevine parasite devastated French vineyards, making the green, anise-flavored spirit more affordable than wine. This inexpensive, high-proof liquor found favor among artists and even appeared in works by Vincent van Gogh and Edgar Degas.

How to Drink Absinthe

If you attempt to drink commercial absinthe straight from the bottle, its high alcohol content will likely scorch your taste buds. To fully savor this spirit, it’s essential to dilute it. A good rule of thumb is five parts water to one part absinthe, though the Wormwood Society offers a convenient calculator that takes the ABV of your specific bottle into account.

For the classic Parisian experience, pour one ounce of absinthe into a small glass. Place a fork (or a perforated absinthe spoon, if you have one) across the top of the glass and set a sugar cube on the fork. Slowly pour about 5 ounces of cold water over the sugar cube, stirring gently to dissolve it. Enjoy responsibly.