When you look back into the history of absinthe, you will find many reports of violence, hallucinations, and just pure madness connected to the drinking of this strong liquor. It was often associated with artists, writers, and other bohemian types, some of which were quite famous. One story recounts the famous painter, Vincent van Gogh cutting his own ear off while under the influence of absinthe.
It was debated for many years whether or not the chemical thujone, which is found in wormwood, a key ingredient in making absinthe, was to blame for such extreme behavior. Many drinkers of absinthe have described a sort of double effect the liquor has on them. Not only is there the obvious intoxication due to a very high alcohol content, 140 proof on average, but also a second sort of clear headed high effect. There was a lot of controversy in the early 1900's around absinthe alcohol, so much so that is was finally banned in many countries around 1910. In particular there were