Absynthe is a green concentrated alcohol derived from Wormwood which was famous a century ago but banned due to severe addictions, insanity, and crimes committed by it's addicts. Recently the US lifted its own ban and you see it on shelves again. If you read up on Absynthe you'll find the Wormwood contains Thujone, a powerful and dangerous substance related to camphor. A taste won't kill you, but prolonged drinking will take you back to the old afflictions. I think it unnecessary to bring back Absynthe in the US. Enough other stuff to drink.
To be perfectly honest, all drink is harmful when drunk in large amounts. People are aware absynthe
is harmful in large quantities. If they opt to be idiotic and drink large amounts it's their own
stupidity. Let them get on with it
If it's as bad as you say it is, maybe it aught to have a warning label.
Doesn't sound like much of a winner.
I wouldn't put it in my mouth, thanks.
I wonder what their slogan is? Absynthe makes the heart grow fonder no doubt.
The discerning public can decide for themselves.
Absinthe was not banned because it was inherently dangerous. It was banned because unethical
companies were producing cheap versions of it which included ingredients like lead, turpentine, and
mercury. Think about the "Lost Generation"... They were big absinthe drinkers yet none of them went
blind. It was because they could afford the good stuff.
Read the last few chapters of Absinthe: History in a Bottle, by Barnaby Conrad III, 1988. This is actually not an anti-Absynthe book, it's a whole history perspective which talks with great romance and respect about the drink. It even discusses the less dangerous modern versions of it. Yet clearly Thujone is still a player in most versions of this drink, and unlike finsch's comment below Thujone is NOT present in other alcohols. And actually OzzieMan it was not banned due to other toxic ingredients, it was a combo of the ultra high alcohol content, the Wormwood, and a big public outcry due to heinous crimes some people committed while supposed whacked out on Absynthe.
Finally, I'll pose again from my original points - why if we have so many other kinds of alcoholic beverages to choose from do we need to have Absynthe as well. I mean seriously, if you go into a big liquour store it's obvious we have more than enough ways to tie one on - without needing the help of Absynthe.
The harmful effects of absinthe are no different than other alcoholic beverages. The supposed
psychoactive are non existent. The only reason I can think of to ban absinthe as opposed to any
other alcohol is because it tastes like crud on a stick.
19 Jul 2008 14:01
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