Search Engine Why'd I take speed for twenty years? - Part 1 (classic)
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Jul 4, 2025 
Nicholas Rasmussen, a historian specializing in the history of drugs and author of 'On Speed', shares a compelling narrative about the rise and fall of amphetamines in America. He reflects on his personal journey with ADHD and the transformative role of prescription stimulants. The discussion reveals how amphetamines evolved from little-known medications to societal staples, their use in WWII, and the cultural shift towards cocaine in the 1970s. Rasmussen also explores the implications of ADHD diagnoses and the complexities surrounding long-term medication use.
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PJ Vogt's 20-Year Amphetamine Use
- PJ Vogt took prescription amphetamines daily for 20 years after being diagnosed with ADHD at 14.
- The medications helped him focus, improve grades, and manage work tasks effectively.
Amphetamine: A Drug Searching Disease
- Amphetamine was discovered as an asthma drug but found to stimulate the central nervous system.
- Developers then searched for other diseases it might treat, showing the drug "looking for a disease" phenomenon.
Amphetamine Redefined Depression
- Amphetamine became the world's first antidepressant by expanding the definition of depression to include lack of motivation.
- This new definition redefined depression culture and guided the development of future antidepressants.