Absinthe has psychoactive properties that are exaggerated.
  It is widely accepted that reports of hallucinogenic effects resulting from absinthe consumption were attributable to the poisonous adulterants being added to cheaper versions of the drink in the 19th century, such as oil of wormwood, impure alcohol (contaminated possibly with methanol), and poisonous colouring matter  notably (among other green copper salts) cupric acetate and antimony trichloride (the last-named being used to fake the ouzo effect)
Two famous artists who helped popularise the notion that absinthe had powerful psychoactive properties were Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent van Gogh

