Boring History for Sleep Meth: A Dark History of Science, War & Addiction 🕯️Boring History For Sleep
Jan 5, 2026
Discover the dark journey of methamphetamine, from its medicinal origins to its role in wartime strategies. Explore how military experiments turned a laboratory creation into a global crisis, revealing its devastating impact on health and society. Unpack the stories of Pervitin in Germany and Philopon in Japan, and their connections to war. Delve into America's postwar pill culture, the rise of illicit meth production, and the invisible victims of addiction. Learn about policy missteps and innovative approaches that aim to address this ongoing challenge.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Mahuang To Meth: A Chemical Leap
- Methamphetamine evolved from the ephedra plant through chemical modifications that increased potency and addictiveness.
- Small molecular changes (a methyl group) dramatically changed effects and societal harm.
Marketing Created Mass Demand
- Pharmaceutical companies marketed amphetamines as wonder pills with minimal safety oversight.
- Casual distribution (inhalers, OTC) normalised stimulant use across society.
Military Testing Fueled Wartime Use
- Otto Ranke tested Pervitin on military students and found dramatic endurance gains that appealed to commanders.
- Those results led to mass distribution to soldiers during early WWII campaigns.