Thujone: A Boon Or Bane

The chemical component is a substance that surrounds us. Most of the things we use or that are part of nature consist of chemical components. Their action and reactions affect us. From inside the cell to outside in space, nothing is possible without chemical components and their reactions. Beginning from birth to death everything is connected to chemical components and their reactions

One of these chemical components is thujone. It is an organic compound. It consists of a ketone functional group. It’s said to be the spirit of absinthe. Absinthe is a component derived from wormwood. It is a strong anti-malarial drug. It’s a prominent part of absinthe. Wormwood also calledArtemisisa absinthiumis a plant of the Asteraceae family. It has been noted to be the plant of historical importance. Absinthe is a chemical used in numerous medications. Thujone being a part of absinthe also has medical importance. Yet it can cause harm also.

Chronicles

It was discovered in of 19th century. Dr. Valentin Magnan while doing research on alcoholism tested a sample of pure wormwood juice or absinthe on animals. As absinthe was considered the strongest alcohol that can cause hallucination, thujone was considered the reason. He tested absinthe on 250 alcohol abusers and reported severe hallucination results.

After the banning of absinthe in the 1970s the research was left incomplete. The ban was removed in 1988 in Europe. Absinthe was allowed to be used under certain regulations.

Functioning

It is a strongorganic ketone compound. It is the main chemical compound of absinthe. It is a neurotransmitter. It a competative antagonist of GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid). GABA is the component responsible for releasing chemicals to calm the brain. On the other hand, thujone excites the brain. GABA stimulates brain at low doses while thujone is s super elevator.

It competes with the GABA and causes excitement. Excess uptake of it may cause muscle spasms and convulsions. Over-exploitation of it can even cause coma and death.

It is also considered toxic to heart, kidney, brain, and liver cells.

Proper use of thujone can help to deal with depression. With being a natural stimulator it can be helpful. It can be abused by athletes, artist and everyone individual which requires elation at their work.

Major sources of Thujone

It can be derivedfrommany plants. Some of its best sources are:

• Mugwort
• Common Sage
• Nootka Cypress
• Wormwood (the most common)

Wormwood being the most common source is used for deriving thujone along with absinthe. Although both the components are derived together there is a difference between both the components.

Difference between Absinthe and Thujone

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Similarity in Absinthe and Thujone

• They both are derived mostly from wormwood plants.
• Excess usage of both can be lethal.
• They both are pain relievers.
• They both are harmful to pregnant ladies and breastfeeding mothers as well as children.
• Both are used in herbal medicines.

Facts about Thujone

• It is a monoterpene organic compound. It consists of a ketone functional group.
• It is a neurotransmitter. It competitive antagonist of GABA.
• It blocks the receptors of GABA. Hence it is a neurotoxin.
• It is present in the tissue of the plants.
• It is constructed by endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER is a cell organelle that produces protein.
• It is a toxin at high levels in mammals and animals.
• It acts as a defense mechanism of the plant towards its predators.
• It is not toxic to certain insects that lack suitable receptors.
• It is used in the manufacturing industries of perfumes and essential oils.
• It affects the central nervous system (CNS) directly. It may reduce the focus and reaction time in an individual.
• The permitted amount in food products is 0.5mg/kg all across the world.
• Gas chromatography was used to extract it.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/thujone

Salient points

• Despite being extracted together from the wormwood, there is a difference between both the components. Absinthe causes alcoholism while thujone can cause hallucinations. The former is used in the manufacture of beverages like whisky, brandy, and gin. The latter one not be sold commercially.
• It is a strong pain reliever while absinthe is a strong anti-malarial drug.
• Absinthe has been used since ancient times to treat various stomach issues. It has been mentioned in various ancient texts. Many philosophers have mentioned its importance in their work.
• Absinthe is the compound and thujone is one of its most important components. Absinthe can never be without thujone, the permitted amount is 0.5mg/kg for food and 10mg/kg for alcoholic beverages.
• Absinthe is less harmful as thujone is toxic to brain cells and activities, CNS, kidney cells, and function as well as to liver cells. Overdoing it can lead to sleeplessness, anxiety convulsions, and in serious cases death.

Cessation

Chemical components are present everywhere and involved in every action and reaction. It includes both biotic and abiotic components. Many of these are interconnected like absinthe and thujone. Many of these are extremely beneficial while some can be harmful too. With right aim and proper efforts and work nature can be used without being exploited.

Good knowledge and proper use of these can lead to abetter future. All the solution lies in the nature.