Ep 5. Nazis on Drugs

In the fifth episode of season one of Nazi Secret Files, titled "Nazis on Drugs," we delve into the sinister world of the Nazi regime's use of pharmaceuticals in their pursuit of power. From Hitler's alleged addiction to powerful stimulants to the widespread distribution of dangerous substances among the Nazi military and population, this episode uncovers the shocking truth about the role of drugs in Nazi Germany.

Using previously unseen archival footage and interviews with historians and medical experts, the episode sheds light on how the Nazi leadership saw drugs as a way to boost the German population's physical and mental capabilities. However, this obsession with pharmaceuticals would lead to disastrous consequences for both the Nazi regime and the German people.

We are taken on a journey through Hitler's personal doctor, Theodor Morell, who controversially administered the dictator with a cocktail of drugs, including amphetamines, opioids, and even bull semen. This extreme dependency on medication would have significant effects on Hitler's decision-making abilities and mental state, ultimately contributing to the downfall of the Nazi regime.

We also see how the Nazis used drugs to enhance their military capabilities, with soldiers given methamphetamine-based pills known as "Pervitin" to keep them awake for days on end. Soldiers in the field would be given drugs along with their meals, which led to severe addiction problems during and after the war.

Moreover, the Nazi regime believed that drugs could be used to enhance their master race ideology. They used phrenology, the study of skull shapes, to determine who was of Aryan descent and who was not. They believed that drugs could correct defects and enhance physical capabilities and intelligence.

Finally, the episode explores how the Nazi's pursuit of pharmaceutical supremacy led to the development of new drugs, including synthetic opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Throughout the episode, we are confronted with the horrifying reality of the Nazi regime's obsession with drugs and how this belief system ultimately led to catastrophic consequences. "Nazis on Drugs" offers a fascinating insight into the dark underbelly of Nazi Germany and its ongoing legacy in the modern world.