Absinthe: The Green Fairy’s Connection to Surrealism

Absinthe’s Connection to Surrealism/i>

Absinthe is a clear spirit containing Artemisia absinthium wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), licorice root and anise that has long been associated with 19th century Parisian bohemians known as bohemians; they often dubbed it the “Green Fairy.” Supposedly hallucinogenic, absinthe was linked with blackouts, paranoia and even death among artists such as Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine Arthur Rimbaud Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Vincent Van Gogh and Amedeo Modigliani among many others leading them all banned worldwide! France Switzerland Belgium Brazil the Netherlands US

Contemporary analyses reveal that thujone, the psychoactive component in wormwood responsible for absinthe’s psychoactive properties, can no longer produce hallucinations or bizarre behavior associated with its prohibition. However, excessive alcohol use remains risky; therefore absinthe should only be consumed responsibly.

Contemporary artists and entertainers continue to draw inspiration from absinthe. Kasabian recorded “La Fee Verte,” while an episode of New Girl on January 8, 2013 depicted characters drinking absinthe while staying at a cabin. Additionally, the Washington, DC radio show Don and Mike regularly do an entire four-hour show while drinking absinthe![1]