Absinthe: return of the Green Fairy.
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.
Holstege
Christopher P
CP
Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Baylor
Michael R
MR
Rusyniak
Daniel E
DE
D018646:Absinthe / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history*; D001154:Art / Q000266:history; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D005060:Europe; D005197:Famous Persons; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D013729:Terpenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology
D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013729:Terpenes; C005790:beta-thujone