Absinthe’s Global Influence
From 18th-century New Orleans to modern Prague, absinthe has left its mark. But contrary to popular perception, absinthe is not the hallucinogenic spirit many believe it to be. Instead, absinthe is an incredibly versatile drink with roots dating back thousands of years – one which shouldn’t be taken too seriously when sold legally and responsibly.
Ancient Greeks famously created absinthion, an herbal bitter used to counter fever, assist during labor and ease menstrual discomfort. Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder praised its effectiveness for treating conditions such as rheumatism, anemia and gout. Absinthe was first invented in Switzerland at the turn of the 19th century, where its modern form first made an appearance at its height of popularity – where it threatened to overtake wine (an immediate danger as Europe’s vineyards had just started recovering from an insect blight called phylloxera). At 140 proof, absinthe was known for both being high in alcohol content as well as its hallucinogenic qualities; these contributed to moral panic which eventually resulted in bans across both Europe and America during its heyday.
Valentin Magnan’s absinthism was heavily based on literary descriptions by authors like Verlaine and Rimbaud, but as restrictions eased researchers revisited absinthe, investigating its active ingredient called thujone (C10H16O) which they believed caused hallucinations and other side effects.