Ep. 01
Uncover the shocking story of Pervitin, the methamphetamine that fuelled Hitler’s war machine. Explore how Nazi Germany systematically distributed this “wonder drug” to its troops, from frontline soldiers to Luftwaffe pilots and U-boat crews. Discover how Pervitin initially created “super soldiers,” enhancing alertness, endurance, and even reducing fear, playing a crucial role in the rapid advances of the Blitzkrieg across Europe.
But delve deeper into the dark side: the spiraling addiction, debilitating side effects, and the ultimate decline in effectiveness that plagued the German military. Learn how attempts to regulate its use failed as the war intensified.
This isn’t just a German story. Witness how the Allied forces, including Britain and the US, also turned to stimulants like Benzedrine, and how Japan developed its own methamphetamine, Philopon. Compare the scale and strategic approaches of these nations in this “pharmacological arms race”.
Explore the ethical implications and long-term health consequences for the soldiers on all sides, many of whom suffered for decades after the war. Was Pervitin a strategic masterstroke or a dangerous gamble that ultimately backfired? This is the untold story of drugs in World War II.