Were Nazis Drug-Fueled Crankheads?

# Stuff You Should Know Episode Summary

This episode dives deep into how drug use shaped Nazi Germany and World War II, exploring author Norman Oler's groundbreaking research that connects widespread methamphetamine use to the Third Reich's rise and eventual downfall. The guys trace how Germany went from cracking down on cocaine and morphine in the Weimar Republic to manufacturing and distributing crystal meth (Pervitin) to soldiers and civilians alike, with millions of doses fueling the lightning-fast military campaigns that initially made Germany seem unstoppable. But the real kicker is Hitler's own drug addiction through his personal physician Dr. Morel, who injected the dictator daily with a cocktail of cocaine, morphine, speed, and other substances, ultimately clouding his judgment and contributing to the regime's collapse.