Absinthe: Behind the Emerald Mask

Abstract

There are a number of approaches or paradigms which can be employed in the study of drug-taking behaviors and experiences. Some approaches are relatively singular and narrow in scope, being epistemo-logically related to a defined discipline. This study of the widespread use of absinthe in 19th-century France utilizes several descriptors (e.g., the social milieu, ritual of use, aesthetic experiences, personal experiences, and social perceptions) in addition to the chemical and medical points of view to provide a holistic framework for the study of this unique social phenomenon.