Van Gogh’s Mental Health Struggles

To understand the question of whether Van Gogh used drugs, it’s essential first to understand his mental health struggles. The artist experienced multiple episodes of severe depression and anxiety, which sometimes led to him being hospitalized. He also had a history of alcoholism and substance abuse, which worsened his condition. He was a keen absinthe drinker, and many times included the bottle in his paintings.

But it wasn’t always jolly, some of his most famous works, such as “Starry Night” and “The Potato Eaters,” were created during times of intense emotional turmoil. Van Gogh’s medical history provides some clues about the potential role of drugs in his life. In the late 19th century, when he was alive, mental illness was not well understood, and there were few effective treatments available. In fact, only really recently are we able to even call mental health an illness. Van Gogh received various treatments for his conditions, including psychotherapy, rest, and medications such as bromide, digitalis, and opium. However, these treatments did not provide lasting relief, and Van Gogh continued to experience severe symptoms throughout his life. NIH writes:

“Van Gogh was during his last years exposed to several potentially toxic substances such as; bromides, lead, camphor and terpene oils in absinthe liquor. All of them produce signs of toxicity which are similar to the symptoms known from van Gogh’s attacks of illness; hallucinations, confusion, delirium, convulsions and agitation” 

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He was known to suffer from a variety of mental health issues – depression, anxiety, BPD, bipolar, insomnia, hallucinations – and these could have led to his suicide in the late 1800s. The question is: were these substances taken to deal with these feelings, or were they the cause?

The Use of Drugs

While there is no direct evidence that Van Gogh used drugs, some scholars have speculated that he may have experimented with substances to alleviate his symptoms. 

Absinthe

As mentioned earlier, the most commonly suggested drug is absinthe, a green-coloured alcoholic drink that was popular in France in the late 19th century. Absinthe contains thujone, a chemical compound that is believed to have psychoactive effects. Some people believed that absinthe could inspire creativity, and it became known as the “Green Fairy.” Absinthe, if you’ve ever had it, is extremely strong – sometimes reaching up to 75-80% alcohol. Some believe he must have used absinthe for inspiration, and point to the inclusion of bright green and blue tones in some of his paintings, which could be interpreted as a nod to the drink’s distinctive colour. However, there is no direct evidence that Van Gogh was significantly affected by absinthe, and many other artists of his time also consumed the drink without experiencing any significant impact on their work.

Cannabis

Another substance that has been suggested as a possible influence on Van Gogh’s art is cannabis. The artist lived in the Netherlands, where cannabis was legal until the early 20th century, and he may have been exposed to the drug through his social and artistic circles. Some of Van Gogh’s works feature swirling patterns and distorted perspectives, which could be interpreted as a possible influence of cannabis on his perception. Technically, there is no direct evidence to support this theory. Although, as I’ve said, the images he draws are very similar to how the cobbled streets of Amsterdam look after a joint or two. Coincidence or not? You decide. 

Opium 

Some have suggested that Van Gogh may have consumed opium both as a painkiller and a recreational drug. During his time in the south of France would probably have been a time where he would have had easy access to it. The likes of Picasso, and other creatives, were known to use it to inspire creativity. However, there is little evidence to suggest that Vincent used it himself. 

The End

Van Gogh died at the early age of 37. It is likely, had he lived longer, he would have continued to create incredible pieces of work. However, for whatever reason, he felt he could no longer endure the pain of his life. The Museum of Van Gogh writes:

“Vincent van Gogh took his own life in July 1890. He felt he couldn’t go on. The immense demands he made of himself, his obsessive labor, his mental illness and, not least, his changing relationship with his brother had all become too much. Vincent wrote to Theo: ‘I feel – a failure. I feel that that’s the fate I’m accepting, and which won’t change any more.’”