Has anyone ever drank Absynth?

[Cantacuzene]

My friend who is studying in Prague this semester is bringing me back two bottles of Absynth, which is banned in western europe and the Americas. According to legend it causes you to hallucinate and experience a similar feeling to lsd, marijuana and alcohol.

I've looked around the net and it seems like the jury is still out as to whether its true. Some sites say its bs, but others say its the real deal.

Just wondering if anyone here has tried it and can confirm or deny it for me.

[seqiro]

I would think anything with 50%-75% alcohol content could possibly make you hallucinate. :eek:

Haven't tried it myself, but here's everything you ever wanted to know about Absinthe (http://www.sepulchritude.com/chapelperilous/absinthe/forum_faq.html).

[xsiled2]

gotta love the czech republic, supporters of the war i might add.

[brain]

I have a bottle of it. Freelance and I have paretaken of it. It freaking BUUUUUURNS. I could still taste the stuff in the morning.

[Freelance Superhero]

that stuff will kick your ass dude... really, it will...

as far as i know (and remember), i believe it's a misconception that it will make you hallucinate. i probably didn't have enuff of it to get to that point, but i don't remember hallucinating, and i don't think brain did either. but both of us did end up puking that night, and it was the absinthe that put me over the edge... and it's only the second time i've ever puked from drinking...

it's strong, man...

[coleslaw]

About 10 times worse than Ouzo that absinthe is. :dodgy:

[Butch]

Mmmmm Absinthe.

It is a hallucinagen. The absinthe is stored in wormwood casks - and the oil from the wood (wormwood oil) - is a neurotoxin.

You would have to drink quite a bit to actually hallucinate . . . I never drank THAT much of it while I was studying in Prague . . . but it is not an old wives tale.

On a related topic, Van Gogh cut off his ear while he was on an absinthe binge.

Also, it is not banned in all of Western Europe . . . it is legal in Britain in limited amounts. Some wily entrepreneurs noticed a legal loophole that allowed them to import and distribute it there.

[blueindian]

i have not, but my girl and i want to get some. let me know how it turns out. she found a way to get it from canada. "the real deal" was like $130/bottle. plus she wants the spoon.

maybe for xmas next year.

[Butch]

It sure as heck isn't worth $130 a bottle to try. Hell, you might as well buy a plane ticket to Prague and get some there for $5 a bottle.

[seqiro]

Originally posted by Butch
Mmmmm Absinthe.

It is a hallucinagen. The absinthe is stored in wormwood casks - and the oil from the wood (wormwood oil) - is a neurotoxin.


Wormwood is an herb, not a wood, so I imagine it would be difficult to make a cask out of it. Wormwood is an actual ingredient.

Taken from the FAQ (http://www.sepulchritude.com/chapelperilous/absinthe/forum_faq.html):

2) Will Absinthe make me high (hallucinate, etc.)?

The most popular misconception about absinthe is that it is a drug! Not so! The hysteria surrounding absinthe in the early 20th century fueled the misconception that absinthe is a wild intoxicant, caused hallucinations that it drove men "mad", threw them into convulsions, and made Van Gogh slice off his ear. During the late 19th & early 20th centuries many western countries were under pressure from various temperance movements and their constituents (many of whom were wine producers threatened by the recent popularity of absinthe) to curb alcohol consumption on a governmental level as it was seen to morally corrupt its citizens. In France absinthe drinking was the province of the bourgeois elite due to the relative high price compared to cheap wines, it wasn't until the introduction of cheaper grades of alcohol and questionable additives rendered absinthe production en mass possible, that absinthe drinking became a national past time. Finally, with the tensions preceding WWI, along with other negative propaganda, absinthe was banned in France, starting a domino effect in many European countries and the United States. In some countries it was never banned. Spain, Portugal, Andorra all still produce absinthe, and it has seen a rise in popularity recently in the UK. where it wasn't banned as it was never popular during its heyday.

[Freelance Superhero]

also taken from the aformentioned faq:

What are the (secondary) effects?
With all the above said, quality absinthe, properly distilled, does have a different effect over and above the results of alcohol, though at up to 70%, the effects of the alcohol alone can be considerable. Absinthe's effects, despite popular conception, are not due to the wormwood (Artemisia Absinthia) alone. 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. Ted Breaux once explained it that 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. 2-3 glasses seems to do the trick. More than that, depending on the proof of the alcohol, will just make you very drunk.

[StonedWheat]

I had some stuff that me and my friends thought was absynth. It smelled a bit like licorice and one drop burned my tongue because of the alcohol content. It was a clear liquid. I don't know if it did anything though cus we were already drunk. No hallucinations though..maybe it wasn't absynth.

[seqiro]

It might have been Sambuca (http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000001259&area=spirits&category=30080000&sid=03&catname=Liqueur) . My wife likes that stuff but I think it's vile.

(or perhaps any of these (http://www.davethefox.com/words/booze/anise.htm) anise flavored alcoholic beverages)

[Jcranmer]

Originally posted by StonedWheat
I had some stuff that me and my friends thought was absynth. It smelled a bit like licorice and one drop burned my tongue because of the alcohol content. It was a clear liquid. I don't know if it did anything though cus we were already drunk. No hallucinations though..maybe it wasn't absynth.

I think that is Ouzo. It a very STRONG greek liquor. It's clear and is usually cut about 50/50 with ice water. When you add the water it turns cloudy white just like absinthe is supposed to.

I know this only because I ended up having about 8 of them at a 4th of July party one year. A guy brought some back from greece and made drinks for a bunch of people there. Hardly anyone liked it, so they ended up giving them to me, because like the kid in the Life cereal commerical, I'll drink anything.

Let's just say it made for an interesting night before I got sick as a dog. I belive the stuff is like 150 or higher proof. :(