War and drugs, a sad and brutal relationship lost in the meanders of human history. For centuries, all civilizations have used (and still use) stimulants to kill their "opponents" with the same tragic consequences. Here are some examples.
"Suicide bomber drug"
Israeli sources have revealed that numerous Hamas terrorists involved in the Gaza Strip attacks on October 6, 2023, had consumed Captagon, often referred to as the "suicide bomber drug". This drug earned its notoriety when it was found that Isis terrorists were using it before launching their heinous attacks.
So, what exactly is this sinister substance that seemingly strips terrorists of any shred of humanity they may have retained despite their fanaticism and ideology? Captagon, also known as the "drug of Jihad," is a phenethylline hydrochloride. This compound, a mix of amphetamine and other stimulants, has been prevalent in the Gulf countries for decades. It is often found among those fighting the so-called "Holy War".
The Effects of Captagon
Captagon users experience a loss of judgment, resistance to fatigue, euphoria, and complete abandonment of inhibitions. The pills, which sell between $5 to $20 per dose, can keep users awake and without food for days on end. Users often develop a false sense of invincibility, feeling invincible. Evidence of Captagon use was found in 2015 at the residence of one of the Paris bombers and in the blood of one of the terrorists in Sousse, Tunisia. This association between wars and drugs has frequently surfaced throughout the last century's darker periods.
Nazists and Amphetamines
Amphetamines were commonly used by Hitler's soldiers during World War II. When the Nazi army conquered the Netherlands on May 14, 1940, their ability to fight relentlessly, day and night, without sleep was a game-changer. According to Norman Ohler's essay, Der totale Rausch ("Total Euphoria"), this endurance was supposedly provided by Pervitin, a "militarily valuable drug" also regularly used by General Rommel and Hitler himself.
Pervitin as Candy
Physician Fritz Hauschild developed the doping pill in 1937, inspired by the extraordinary effects of benzedrine on American athletes who participated in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. At the onset of World War II, military doctors were distributing it to soldiers. Der Spiegel reports that over 35 million 3-milligram doses of Pervitin were packaged for German ground and air forces between April and July 1940. Due to its extensive use on German and Austrian tanks, Pervitin tablets earned the nickname Panzerschokolade, or "tank chocolate".
Dependence on the Drug
Methamphetamines were used by the Japanese military from 1939 to 1945, which later faced the severe consequences of substance abuse after the war. The Allies also used them to endure grueling flying sessions. The Americans used them for psychological reasons, not wanting their pilots to feel disadvantaged compared to the Germans. However, the use of amphetamines was not without repercussions: Allied pilots experienced severe irritability and an inability to concentrate. Many servicemen became addicted to these substances and continued their abuse even after the war.
Drug Abuse during the Vietnam Conflict
Amid the Vietnam Conflict (1955-1975), the abuse of heroin, marijuana, and other drugs became so widespread among U.S. soldiers that 10-15% of them developed some form of addiction. This alarming situation forced President Nixon to fund the first major expansion of drug treatment programs.
Modern Warfare: Stimulant Use on the Battlefield
The use of stimulant drugs in warfare is not a new phenomenon, but it continues to evolve in our modern times. Modafinil, a narcolepsy medication and a substance banned from sports doping, is currently being experimented on soldiers from various countries. Its purpose? To extend the waking hours of troops, with some staying alert for up to 48 hours. The U.S. Air Force first introduced the drug to its pilots during the Iraq invasion in 2003. Scientists are now working on modifying the molecule structure to further extend wakefulness.
The Tarnak Farm Incident: A Dark Memory
However, the use of Modafinil is not the only instance of amphetamine use in the military. Take, for instance, the Tarnak farm incident in 2002. A U.S. F-16 pilot, suspected to be under the influence of amphetamines, mistakenly killed four Canadian soldiers in friendly fire. This incident once again highlighted the potential dangers of such stimulant use.
Psychoactive Substances in Battle: A Historical Perspective
Contrary to popular belief, the use of psychoactive substances in battle is not exclusive to the modern era. In fact, it dates back several centuries. Before the advent of synthetic drugs, Greek and Roman soldiers would enter the battlefield tipsy, not drunk, to increase their pain threshold and suppress fear.
The Berserkir, the fierce Viking warriors devoted to Odin, the supreme god of war, were known to enter a trance-like state before battle. This trance heightened their ferocity and pain tolerance. Believing themselves invincible, they would take on enemies clad only in skins, possibly under the influence of drugs.
The same drug-induced fervor drove the Hashshashin, a sect of Shiite Islam. These warriors fought the Crusaders in the 1200s and it's believed their name, from which the term "assassins" is derived, comes from the Arabic plural al-Hashīshiyyūn, or "those devoted to hashish."
The Aftermath: Drugs and the Pain of War
Following the heat of the battle, when alertness was no longer a priority, drugs were used to endure the physical and emotional pain of war. From the 1700s to 1900s, morphine was widely used to treat gunshot wounds and even dysentery among soldiers. Its widespread use led to the coining of the term "soldier's disease" or "Army disease," referring to addiction to the substance.
In this endless saga of warfare and drug use, this shit continues from people to people, substance to substance, with similar effects and the same tragic consequences.
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