History Of Methamphetamine: Who Invented Meth?

Meth has a much longer history than many people realize. Meth was synthesized in the 1880s. It was used as an over-the-counter medication, given to German military members during WWII, and eventually regulated due to its addictive properties. Today, nearly all forms of meth use are illegal.

Methamphetamine (meth) is a synthetic stimulant drug that is especially common in the United States.

Different types of meth include powdered meth and crystal meth, a smokable form of the drug.

Meth use has a long history, and pieces of that history began in various places around the world.

Ephedra Plants And Stimulants Before Meth

Meth is synthesized from another stimulant called ephedrine, which comes from ephedra plants. These plants are small shrubs that grow in several regions throughout the world.

They have been used in China and India for many years to treat upper respiratory symptoms.

In the mid-1880s, researchers looked for alternatives to the ephedra plant.

One of those alternatives was amphetamine, which was synthesized by a Romanian chemist named Lazar Edeleanu. The other alternative was meth.

In 1885, Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi synthesized meth, but methamphetamine use did not gain traction until a few decades later.

Early Forms Of Meth Use

Eventually, the use of amphetamines and meth would become more widespread. Meth became available as an over-the-counter medication.

American citizens could take a medication called Benzedrine, a meth-based medication. In inhaler form, Benzedrine was used to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions.

People quickly noticed that this drug created an uplifting effect. As a central nervous system stimulant, meth boosted the brain’s dopamine levels, creating a sense of euphoria.

As a result, the makers of Benzedrine created a pill version of the medication, which was used to treat narcolepsy.

Meth Use During World War II

During World War II, military forces in Germany began using meth under the brand name Pervitin. This drug was widely available among German civilians as well.

Soldiers used it for its wakefulness properties, as the drug helped them stay awake during missions. Meth was also given to kamikaze pilots in Japan.

Within a few years, however, the side effects of meth became apparent. When soldiers took meth in high doses, many became violent and experienced meth-induced psychosis.

As a result, while military members were still given meth, the use of meth was more tightly controlled.

Prescription Meth Medications

In the 1950s, meth once again gained traction for medical purposes. A prescription form of meth was often prescribed as a weight loss aid for patients with obesity. Sometimes, it was also prescribed to treat narcolepsy.

However, researchers quickly began to realize that the drug was highly addictive.
By the 1970s, the FDA designated these drugs as schedule II controlled substances.

Recreational Meth Abuse

In the 1980s and 1990s, meth was no longer as attainable as it had been in the past. Still, this type of drug use grew in the U.S.

Law enforcement agencies saw an increase in meth labs, where meth was created using pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter decongestant.

The U.S. has since set limits on the sale of pseudoephedrine. However, some people have continued producing meth by using alternative methods, such as cooking P2P meth.

Meth Use Today

Meth use has declined in the U.S. since the 1980s, but it still remains a major concern, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

In rare cases, a prescription form of meth is used for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

However, meth is otherwise an illegal drug, as both cooking meth and using it recreationally are highly dangerous.

Recover From Methamphetamine Abuse

A substance abuse disorder such as meth addiction can cause a person to use drugs, even when faced with negative consequences. As a result, addiction can make people feel trapped.

However, meth addiction is treatable. Treatment options include drug detox, rehabilitation programs, and various forms of substance abuse therapy.

Spring Hill Recovery Center offers evidence-based, personalized addiction treatment. If you or a loved one need help to overcome meth addiction, contact Spring Hill today.

  1. Encyclopedia Britannica — Ephedra https://www.britannica.com/plant/Ephedra
  2. National Library Of Medicine — Amphetamine-Type Stimulants: The Early History Of Their Medical And Non-Medical Uses https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26070751/
  3. United States Department Of Justice — Crystal Methamphetamine Fact Sheet https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs5/5049/5049p.pdf
  4. United States Drug Enforcement Administration — Methamphetamine https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/methamphetamine
  5. Vermont Department Of Health — A Brief History Of Methamphetamine https://web.archive.org/web/20120620083221/http://healthvermont.gov/adap/meth/brief_history.aspx

Written by Spring Hill Recovery Editorial Team

© 2024 Spring Hill Recovery | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

Prefer Texting?
We've got you covered.

Receive 24/7 text support right away.
There is no obligation and you can opt out at any time.
chat-header

Sign up for text support

Receive 24/7 text support right away.
There is no obligation and you can opt out at any time.
chat-header
Let us walk you through the treatment process. We're here to help.
For 24/7 Treatment Help:
100% Free & Confidential. Call (978) 321-2696
(978) 321-2696