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M$1 March 03, 2009 11:37 PM

Does Absinthe really cause hallucinations or is that just a myth?

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March 04, 2009 09:20 PM
It's just a myth arising from incorrect data that connected thujone (a chemical used in small quantities in absinthe) to THC, the active chemical in marijuana. However, absinthe does have a slightly different effect than regular alcohol due to its balance of various herbs, including wormwood.

From a vendor: "Absinthe's constituents consist of a very delicate balance of various herbs, most of which contribute in one way or another to its intoxicating effects. It is a push-me, pull-you effect of the various herbs, as some are of an heightening effect, and others are lowering. The effect on the individual is subjective, and can best be described as a kind of heightened clarity of mind and vision, mildly ponderous and sparkling, and warmed by the effect of the alcohol. This seems to wear off after 20 or 30 minutes, leaving one with an alcohol buzz."

Me though, I always have a hard time differentiating between whether I've reached that "mildly ponderous and sparkling" state or if I'm just drunk.
Source(s):
A few years in Holland

http://www.originalabsinthe.com/absinthe_faq.php#2



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March 05, 2009 09:46 PM
I think the green fairy effect is much older than the assumption that thujone and THC are connected.

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March 05, 2009 09:57 PM
I was talking specifically about the modern perception and explanation.

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March 03, 2009 11:43 PM
It's a myth.

However if you drink enough of any alcohol it can cause effects similar to hallucinations.

True Absinthe is just strong liquor.
Source(s):
I've enjoyed my fair share of the Green Fairy in Amsterdam and enjoy the odd nip when company comes over and would like to try a traditional serving.


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March 03, 2009 11:46 PM - New Source
I found a good article on it here:
http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/absinthe.htm

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March 03, 2009 11:44 PM
NO! It does not cause hallucinatons. It's a myth. People have studied the chemical, thujone, alot more in recent years and found that there is no evidence that it causes hallucinations.
Source(s):
http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/absinthe.htm


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March 03, 2009 11:44 PM
No, it doesn't. This is what a friend of mine wrote about it (she's an M.D. specializing in neuroscience).
Dr. Magnan’s experiments (which provoked convulsions in animals) were performed with absinthe essence, in other words, high thujones concentration, with neurotoxic effects. The commercial absinthe liquor was a dilution of the essence with a final thujone concentration less than 100 parts per million. These concentrations haven’t psychotropic effects per se, you won’t have hallucinations, illusions and you won’t see green fairies…except if you have any precondition of course.

It should also be considered the effect of the alcohol in the beverage.

The article is in both English and Spanish.
Source(s):
http://www.flavores.com.ar/2009/01/14/ciencia-detras-descience-behind-absen...


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