[Beast]

How is it that you read the wikipedia article on absithe yet still have questions?

The section on "Production" is where the information you are looking for is at:

With distilled absinthe, which is the proper form you will find for sale in countries where it is legal, the wormwood is soaked in a high proof distilled liquor and then is distilled again, sometimes multiple soaks and distillations.

"Cold mixed" absinthe, is wormwood soaked in high proof distilled liquor. This is done in countries where absinthe is still illegal, and is often mislabeled as 'distilled'.

I think the most important section for you to read, considering what you are still considering, is the section on absinthe kits.

The interest in absinthe has spawned a rash of "absinthe kits", which are claimed to produce homemade absinthe (not to be confused with hausgemacht absinthe, despite "hausgemacht" translating as "homemade" in German). Kits often call for soaking herbs in vodka or alcohol or adding a liquid concentrate to the same in the hopes of creating an ersatz absinthe.

Such practices usually yield a harsh substance that bears little resemblance to the genuine article, and is considered to be inauthentic by any practical standard. Some concoctions may even be dangerous, especially if they call for supplementation with potentially poisonous herbs, oils and/or extracts. Of particular concern is the use of the extract or oil of wormwood in a misguided attempt to induce alleged psychoactive effects. It should be noted that the consumption of oil of wormwood is directly linked to kidney failure and uncontrollable convulsions.

I think another section that would be of interest to you would be the one on the effects of absinthe:

Today it is known that absinthe does not cause hallucinations. Thujone, the active chemical in absinthe, is a GABA antagonist; and while it can produce muscle spasms in large doses, there is no evidence that it causes hallucinations. It has been speculated that reports of hallucinogenic effects of absinthe may have been due to poisonous chemicals being added to cheaper versions of the drink in the 19th century, to give it a more vivid color.

I myself have tried distilled absinthe. I bought a bottle on a visit to Japan, and brought it back with me. The absinthe was made in France, and was of the distilled variety, it was a fairly high proof, maybe 150? All I was ever able to get down was about 3 shots of the stuff. Besides getting drunk, I was sensitive to light the next morning. I think the effects are more pronounced in heavy drinkers who have a higher tolerance to the alcohol and thus can injest more. An ex drank half a bottle of the same brand and claimed everything was blue the next day, as well as extremely hungover.