Absinthe: Return of the Green Fairy

Christopher P. Holstege; Michael R. Baylor; Daniel E. Rusyniak

doi:10.1055/s-2002-33051

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Semin Neurol 2002; 22(1): 089-094
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33051

HISTORICAL NOTE

Absinthe: Return of the Green Fairy

Christopher P. Holstege¹ , Michael R. Baylor² , Daniel E. Rusyniak³

¹Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
²Martha Jefferson Hospital, Charlottesville, Virginia
³Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana

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Publication History

Publication Date:
12 August 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Among the most popular and intriguing intoxicants of the Victorian Age, absinthe had all but disappeared after it was banned in nearly all developed countries in the early 1900s. A number of great artists and writers from the late 1800s used absinthe as a social drink, including Vincent van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec. A recent resurgence of absinthe use has occurred in Europe and is rapidly spreading to the United States. Despite its increasing popularity limited information exists on the mechanism of action and neurotoxicity of absinthe. This paper reviews some of the historical aspects of absinthe and aims to shed light on the mechanism of action and neurotoxicology of this the Green Fairy.

KEYWORDS

Absinthe - thujone - van Gogh - neurotoxicology - history of medicine

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