Absinthe returns to shelves but remains controversial due to its history and fraud cases

Absinthe, once banned for nearly a century due to fears of madness and crime, has returned to shelves in many countries. Its controversial reputation stems from its association with artists and claims of hallucinogenic effects, which are largely overstated. The drink contains a small amount of thujone, a neurotoxin, but experts say it is not harmful in typical quantities. Absinthe was popular in 19th-century Europe, especially among creatives, and was linked to a cultural phenomenon known as "the green hour." Today, absinthe is legal again, with new versions being produced. However, the drink still faces scrutiny, including recent fraud cases within the absinthe community, where counterfeit pre-ban bottles were sold.