#481 – Norman Ohler: Hitler, Nazis, Drugs, WW2, Blitzkrieg, LSD, MKUltra & CIA

Overview

This episode explores the role of psychoactive drugs in shaping the Third Reich, the Nazi military machine, and Adolf Hitler himself. Norman Ohler, author of Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich, delves into the widespread use of methamphetamine among soldiers, Hitler's personal drug regimen, and the cultural and historical implications of drug use. The conversation also touches on Ohler's other works, including The Bohemians and Tripped, and his upcoming book Stoned Sapiens, which examines human history through the lens of psychoactive substances.

Notable Quotes

- The Blitzkrieg without meth is unthinkable. – Norman Ohler, on the role of methamphetamine in the German military's rapid early victories.

- Hitler was not just a dictator; he was a drug guy. – Norman Ohler, on Hitler's extensive drug use and its impact on his leadership.

- The Nazis were too sober for the future; they lacked the transcendental spark. – Norman Ohler, on the role of psychedelics in human evolution and creativity.

🧪 The Role of Drugs in Nazi Germany

- Methamphetamine, marketed as Pervitin, was widely used by German soldiers during WWII to enhance endurance, suppress fear, and enable the rapid advances of the Blitzkrieg.

- Hitler himself was heavily medicated, receiving daily injections of opioids, stimulants, and hormonal concoctions from his personal physician, Dr. Theodor Morell.

- Ohler argues that Hitler's drug use contributed to his erratic decision-making and eventual physical and mental decline.

- The German Navy even conducted human experiments in concentration camps to develop wonder drugs for prolonged combat readiness.

🎭 The Bohemians: Resistance from Within

- Ohler recounts the story of Harro Schulze-Boysen and Libertas, a couple who led a diverse resistance network against the Nazis.

- Their group used unconventional methods, such as hosting intellectual parties to recruit members and distributing anti-Nazi propaganda.

- Despite their bravery, the group was ultimately betrayed and executed, highlighting the immense risks of resisting a totalitarian regime.

🌌 Psychedelics and Human Evolution

- Ohler's upcoming book, Stoned Sapiens, explores how psychoactive substances may have influenced the development of human consciousness and culture.

- He discusses the stoned ape theory, suggesting that early humans' use of psychedelics like iboga and psilocybin contributed to cognitive evolution.

- The conversation also touches on the role of substances like LSD in modern creativity and mental health, including its potential benefits for Alzheimer's patients.

🕵️‍♂️ LSD, MKUltra, and the CIA

- Ohler traces the history of LSD from its discovery in Switzerland to its controversial use in the CIA's MKUltra mind control experiments.

- The CIA's unethical experiments, inspired by Nazi research, aimed to develop a truth drug but ultimately failed.

- LSD later became a symbol of the counterculture movement, despite its dark origins.

🎶 Berlin’s Club Scene and Drug Culture

- Ohler reflects on Berlin's vibrant electronic music scene in the 1990s, where MDMA-fueled parties became a cultural phenomenon.

- He contrasts the creative and communal aspects of psychedelics with the destructive potential of addictive drugs like methamphetamine.

- Berlin's history as a hub of experimentation, from the Weimar Republic to the techno era, underscores the city's unique relationship with drugs and art.