Absinthe is an old kind of herbal liquor that was banned worldwide about a century ago in a sort of irrational panic.
The primary effect of absinthe is due to its high alcohol content.
The secondary effects (ie. hallucinations) are due to wormwood and are attributed to the chemical thujone.
How much secondary effect you get depends a lot on the brand. I had some the other day (in Japan, it's legal here) and didn't get any. I understand brands like La Fee have strong secondaries.
Considering the cost to get it shipped to the US (although customs seldom if ever will seize it), it may not be worth your money unless you get a friend traveling Spain or elsewhere to bring you some home.
It also tastes strongly of anise (black liquorice) so if you don't like that flavor don't bother.
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