World War II was not only fought with bullets and bombs—it was also waged with chemicals, both on and off the battlefield. One of the most disturbing and lesser-known aspects of Nazi Germany’s war machine was its widespread use of methamphetamine, a powerful stimulant that had a profound impact on soldiers, strategies, and atrocities.
In the late 1930s, German pharmaceutical companies developed Pervitin, a methamphetamine-based stimulant marketed as a miracle pill that boosted alertness, energy, and confidence. By 1940, the German military was issuing Pervitin to millions of Wehrmacht soldiers, especially during the invasions of Poland and France.
Nicknamed “Stuka pills” or “pilot salt,” Pervitin was used to keep tank crews, bomber pilots, and infantrymen awake for days at a time. Soldiers could march longer, fight harder, and suppress hunger, fear, and fatigue—all key factors in the Blitzkrieg's early success.
Addiction, Psychosis, and Breakdown
But the short-term gains came at a cost. Soldiers who used meth regularly suffered from severe crashes, hallucinations, aggression, and breakdowns. Some became addicted. Reports from the Eastern Front describe troops collapsing in psychotic states, unable to function or distinguish reality. Medical officers observed tremors, paranoia, and delusions—classic signs of stimulant abuse.
As the war dragged on, Hitler himself reportedly began receiving increasingly bizarre medical treatments from his personal doctor, Theodor Morell, including injections that may have contained methamphetamines, opioids, and other stimulants. Some historians believe this chemical cocktail may have exacerbated Hitler’s erratic decisions in the final years of the war.
Drug-Fueled Atrocities
Perhaps most chilling is the idea that methamphetamine contributed to the brutality and moral detachment of Nazi soldiers, particularly on the Eastern Front. The combination of Nazi ideology, dehumanizing propaganda, and chemical enhancement created a potent mix that lowered inhibitions and increased violent behavior. The SS and regular army units alike carried out atrocities against civilians—actions that some researchers argue were made more frequent or extreme by drug use.
Aftermath and Legacy
By mid-war, the downsides of Pervitin were becoming obvious. Commanders complained of soldiers losing control, and Germany began to restrict access to methamphetamine—but it was too late. The drug had already become entrenched in the war effort, with an estimated 35 million doses distributed throughout the conflict.
In postwar years, many former soldiers struggled with addiction and mental health issues. Meanwhile, other countries took note: the Allies tested and used stimulants, too, though not to the same scale as Nazi Germany.