Absinthe is not a psychedelic, but a path to rapid alcoholism
The results of a new study put an end to the age-old dispute about which ingredient of absinthe has a detrimental effect on the brain and toxic side effects with excessive use of this exotic green aperitif. Scientists in Europe and the USA conducted a detailed analysis of the composition of the original absinthe produced before 1915 (before the prohibition of this drink) – the same one that Van Gogh, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec and Picasso consumed in large quantities in search of inspiration. The result showed that the "Green Fairy" acted on her godchildren solely due to the high alcohol content, and not due to thujone, which was considered the cause of manifestations of absintism.
Containing 70% alcohol, absinthe acquired its legendary status in Paris at the end of the 19th century. At that time, bohemian artists and writers believed that the psychedelic effects of this drink expand consciousness and for this they dubbed it the "Green Fairy" or "Green Muse". Below is one of many paintings on this topic. Its author, Victor Oliva (1861-1928), was born in Bohemia, where they still make the best absinthe in the world, and spent most of his life in Montmartre.
The popularity of absinthe gradually spread across Europe and reached the USA. However, the painful condition and bouts of cruelty accompanying the use of the drink provided him with a reputation as a dangerous drug, which led to the prohibition of absinthe in many countries of the world.
Researchers working under the guidance of Dr. Dirk W. Lachenmeier emphasize that experts know little about the composition of the original absinthe produced in France before 1915. For the first time, they conducted a detailed analysis of the composition of the drink preserved since that time (13 samples), including the content of plant components in it (thujone, pinocamphone, fenchone), methanol, higher alcohols, copper and antimony.
Traditionally, the active ingredient of absinthe was considered thujone, which was credited with the ability to cause a feeling of strong intoxication from a small amount of alcohol, as well as a set of symptoms called "absentism" and including hallucinations, facial muscle contractions, loss of sensitivity and memory loss.
However, the concentrations of thujone in the original absinthe turned out to be much lower than expected and insufficient to have a hallucinogenic effect. They roughly correspond to the content of thujone in modern absinthe, released after 1988, when the European Union lifted the ban on the production of this drink. Laboratory tests have not revealed any other compounds whose presence would explain the effects of absinthe.
The authors claim that all the effects of absinthe are due to the high concentration of ethanol, and the so-called absentism is just a form of alcoholism.
Article Article by Dirk W. Lachenmeier et al. Chemical Composition of vintage Preban Absinthe with Special Reference to Thujone, Fenchone, Pinocamphone, Methanol, Copper, and Antimony Concentrations will be published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry on May 14, 2008.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily
04.05.2008