Whats wrong with absinthe? That's a very good question, and I'm glad you asked...
Well as far as we know nothing really. Thujone, a chemical from the grand wormwood plant, is the main ingredient in absinthe that is said to be unusually harmful/psychoactive. Tests (which can't seem to give a definitive answer to the levels of thujone in vintage bottles of absinthe) put the number anywhere between 4.3 and 350 ml/L due to claims that gas chromatography mass-spectrometry gets a more accurate measurement of thujone content, where as gas chromatography alone can show inaccurately high levels due to interference with other chemicals. In any case, all studies I have read thus far have concluded the even if it was the 350ml/L high-watermark people say was in the old stuff, alcohol poisoning would dispatch a person long before the thujone could get to dangerous or life-threatening levels.
Regardless of fact, the absinthe myth has grown to epic proportions,
6 comments:
Haha, nice topic Professor Plum.
Hasn't the active chemical in absinthe been proven to interfere with GABA (the neurotransmitter), thereby messing up nerve signals?
Oh, and I hate to let my stickler shine through, but Vincent's name is spelt as "van Gogh," not "Van Gough." Forgive me.
While I understand the drink has been the stuff of legend since teh 18th century, I don't think there's been any legitimate discoveries on its hallucinatory effects. Some herbs used to create absinthe are used as painkillers though, if that's of any relevance.
*"a neurotransmitter," not "the neurotransmitter"
**"the," not "teh."
^^;
I have no idea what your position is here, but you have a lot of options with this. You could definitely delve into the legal differences between drugs and alcohol, the liability of addiction, and whether or not absinthe truly causes hallucinations. While in Israel last year, I had the opportunity to talk to Israelis who had drank absinthe, as it is legal there. Apparently it's really not as hallucinogenic as it's cracked up to be. It's mostly just alcohol.
Also, it turns out some absinthe is, as of recently, legal in the States! Who would've thunk it!?
John-- I am concerned that you have not been posting. Are you keeping this topic? There are only two weeks left before the final draft is due? Where are you in your research? email me to let me know where you stand. Ms. C
GOOD LUCK JOHN! I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!! wOOt!
~katherine e. g. white (sp)
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