Cite this Response
Alice! Health Promotion. "What are the negative side effects of absinthe?." Go Ask Alice!, Columbia University, 09 Feb. 2026, https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/what-are-negative-side-effects-absinthe. Accessed 09, Feb. 2026.
Alice! Health Promotion. (2026, February 09). What are the negative side effects of absinthe?. Go Ask Alice!, https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/what-are-negative-side-effects-absinthe.
Dear Alice,
I recently drank one shot of absinth(e) mixed with water at a party. I read up on it online and opinions differ vastly as to the potential for negative side effects. At this point my imagination has me suffering every possible one.
I would like to know the true possible effects and if one drink could realistically cause them. If it helps, the brand I had contained 100mg of thujone and it was Czech and I'm told they use an extract which is worse than using straight wormwood.
I hope you can help because I'm a little freaked out, the guy who gave it to me drank it extensively and recently committed suicide and I'm convinced the cause in part was the Absinthe.
Dear Reader,
Absinthe might be nicknamed the “green fairy,” but it's not going to put a spell on you! It's a common myth that drinking absinthe can cause hallucinations or delusions. This myth stems from the fact that absinthe traditionally contains thujone, a chemical that can have psychoactive effects in high doses. However, the hallucinogenic feelings are more likely due to absinthe’s high alcohol content. It’s unlikely that the thujone in absinthe contributed to the death of this person in your social circle. The amount your friend consumed might have influenced any mental health condition he may have been dealing with that led to suicidal behaviors.
What is absinthe?
Absinthe’s bright green color might make it seem better suited to a science lab than a bar shelf, but it’s actually a strong spirit. It usually ranges from 45 to 74 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). This can be much higher than the traditional formulations of most liquors, like vodka, gin, and whiskey.
Originally, absinthe contained an herb called wormwood, which contains thujone, a chemical that can cause seizures and hallucinations in high amounts. Nowadays, you aren’t allowed to sell absinthe with thujone in the United States (US). In the European Union, absinthe with up to 35milligrams per liter (mg/L) of thujone is allowed, but this amount isn’t enough to cause harmful health effects.
Some absinthe manufacturers will exaggerate the amount of thujone in their products to attract customers. They might even reinforce the debunked ideas that absinthe causes hallucinations or compare the drink’s effects to marijuana. It’s possible that the absinthe you drank was using the 100mg/L concentration as a marketing tactic.
How can absinthe impact your health?
The impacts that absinthe could have on your health are usually because of its high alcohol content and not because of thujone or anything else specific to absinthe.
In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, absinthe was believed to cause “absinthism,” a condition linked to severe psychological effects, violence, dangerous behaviors, and seizures. However, it's now known that there wasn't enough thujone in vintage absinthe to cause these effects. It’s more likely that people believed to be suffering from absinthism were experiencing the effects of the drink’s high alcohol content.
How can absinthe lead to alcohol poisoning?
Because absinthe has such a high alcohol content, people who drink it heavily might have a higher risk of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning can happen when someone consumes a lot of alcohol in a short time period. In very severe cases, alcohol poisoning can cause seizures or confusion. People who drink frequently and heavily can also experience hallucinations and delusions, especially when they suddenly stop drinking.
Is there a connection between consuming absinthe and suicide?
There seems to be some concern that high absinthe consumption led this person in your circle to commit suicide. It may be helpful to note that there isn’t an association between absinthe, as a specific type of alcohol, and suicide. Rather, his heavy alcohol intake could have worsened—or been caused by—an underlying mental health condition.
It’s very common for people with depression to struggle with substance use. People might self-medicate with alcohol since it can temporarily calm down the nervous system. However, when the alcohol effects wear off, depression or anxiety symptoms often feel worse than they did before and potentially lead someone to drink more. That’s why there’s a strong connection between substance use disorders (SUD) like AUD and suicidal thoughts and actions.
How can absinthe impact your daily life?
The effects of alcohol can lead to reckless decision-making that might contribute to self-harming or suicidal behaviors, especially in people with underlying mental health conditions. However, it's unlikely that a single absinthe shot would immediately lead to suicidal behavior, especially after the alcohol has worn off.
It can be emotionally difficult when someone around you commits suicide, even if you don’t know them very well. If you think that you may be struggling with their death, consider reaching out to a health care professional or mental health professional who can help you address these feelings.