The Hidden Role of Drugs in Nazi Germany
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
4-2025
Abstract
This research examines the often-overlooked role of drugs in Nazi Germany, particularly the use of methamphetamine—specifically in the form of a pill called Pervitin—by German soldiers during World War II. It explores how trauma from World War I and the economic struggles of the Weimar Republic contributed to a society where drug use became normalized, ultimately paving the way for stimulants to be militarized. The German military distributed Pervitin to soldiers to enhance endurance, reduce fatigue, and possibly increase aggression, shaping their behavior and decision-making in high-stress combat situations. In conducting this research, I analyzed historical sources and military records to assess the broader impact of wartime stimulant use, particularly its effects on combat performance and moral detachment. Additionally, this research places Nazi Germany’s drug policies in a global context, comparing military stimulant use among the Germans, the Allies, and the Japanese. By exploring the connection between war and drug use, I argue that the role of stimulants in warfare is a significant but often overlooked aspect of military history.
Recommended Citation
Bailey, Kathleen, "The Hidden Role of Drugs in Nazi Germany" (2025). Student Research Symposium 2025. 2.
https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/srs_2025/2
Comments
2:15-3:15 p.m.
BLH 362
Studies in Sociology
Davida Smyth, Moderator