Norman Ohler: Hitler, Nazis, Drugs, WW2, Blitzkrieg, LSD, MKUltra & CIA
Lex Fridman Podcast
Norman Ohler is a historian and author of “Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich,” a book that investigates the role of psychoactive drugs, particularly stimulants such as methamphetamine, in the military history of World War II. It is a book that two legendary historians Ian Kershaw and Antony Beevor give very high praise for its depth of research. Norman also wrote “Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of the Psychedelic Age”, and he is working on a new book “Stoned Sapiens” looking at the history of human civilization through the lens of drugs. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep481-sc See below for , transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
Transcript: lexfridman.com/norman-ohler-transcript
CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: lexfridman.com/survey AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: lexfridman.com/ama Hiring – join our team: lexfridman.com/hiring Other – other ways to get in touch: lexfridman.com/contact
EPISODE LINKS: Stoned Sapiens Substack: substack.com/@stonedsapiens Norman’s X: @normanohler Norman’s Instagram: @normanohler Norman’s YouTube: @Norman-Ohler Norman’s Website: normanohler.de Norman’s books: amzn.to/46uNS18 Blitzed: amzn.to/4mmY2XC The Bohemians: amzn.to/3KubPhK Tripped: amzn.to/4nEy7eX
SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: UPLIFT Desk: Standing desks and office ergonomics. Go to upliftdesk.com/lex Fin: AI agent for customer service. Go to fin.ai/lex Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to shopify.com/lex LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to drinkLMNT.com/lex Hampton: Community for high-growth founders and CEOs. Go to joinhampton.com/lex
OUTLINE:
- (00:00) – Introduction
- (01:09) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections
- (09:00) – Drugs in post-WWI Germany
- (19:18) – Nazi rise to power
- (23:45) – Hitler’s drug use
- (29:37) – Response to historian criticism
- (46:16) – Pervitin
- (1:00:15) – Blitzkrieg and meth
- (1:18:52) – Erwin Rommel (Crystal Fox)
- (1:23:02) – Dunkirk
- (1:31:06) – Hitler’s drug addiction
- (1:47:03) – Methamphetamine
- (1:48:57) – Invasion of Soviet Union
- (2:07:54) – Cocaine
- (2:16:49) – Hitler’s last days
- (2:36:48) – German resistance against Nazis
- (2:58:59) – Totalitarianism
- (3:04:09) – Stoned Sapiens – Drugs in human history
- (3:19:20) – Religion
- (3:30:09) – LSD, CIA, and MKUltra
- (3:55:39) – Writing on drugs
- (4:08:40) – Berlin night clubs
- (4:19:14) – Greatest book ever written
Raw Description
<p>Norman Ohler is a historian and author of “Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich,” a book that investigates the role of psychoactive drugs, particularly stimulants such as methamphetamine, in the military history of World War II. It is a book that two legendary historians Ian Kershaw and Antony Beevor give very high praise for its depth of research. Norman also wrote “Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of the Psychedelic Age”, and he is working on a new book “Stoned Sapiens” looking at the history of human civilization through the lens of drugs.<br /> Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep481-sc">https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep481-sc</a><br /> See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.</p> <p><b>Transcript:</b><br /> <a href="https://lexfridman.com/norman-ohler-transcript">https://lexfridman.com/norman-ohler-transcript</a></p> <p><b>CONTACT LEX:</b><br /> <b>Feedback</b> – give feedback to Lex: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/survey">https://lexfridman.com/survey</a><br /> <b>AMA</b> – submit questions, videos or call-in: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/ama">https://lexfridman.com/ama</a><br /> <b>Hiring</b> – join our team: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/hiring">https://lexfridman.com/hiring</a><br /> <b>Other</b> – other ways to get in touch: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/contact">https://lexfridman.com/contact</a></p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Stoned Sapiens Substack: <a href="https://substack.com/@stonedsapiens">https://substack.com/@stonedsapiens</a><br /> Norman’s X: <a href="https://x.com/normanohler">https://x.com/normanohler</a><br /> Norman’s Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/normanohler">https://www.instagram.com/normanohler</a><br /> Norman’s YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Norman-Ohler">https://www.youtube.com/@Norman-Ohler</a><br /> Norman’s Website: <a href="https://www.normanohler.de">https://www.normanohler.de</a><br /> Norman’s books: <a href="https://amzn.to/46uNS18">https://amzn.to/46uNS18</a><br /> Blitzed: <a href="https://amzn.to/4mmY2XC">https://amzn.to/4mmY2XC</a><br /> The Bohemians: <a href="https://amzn.to/3KubPhK">https://amzn.to/3KubPhK</a><br /> Tripped: <a href="https://amzn.to/4nEy7eX">https://amzn.to/4nEy7eX</a></p> <p><b>SPONSORS:</b><br /> To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:<br /> <b>UPLIFT Desk:</b> Standing desks and office ergonomics.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/uplift_desk-ep481-sc">https://upliftdesk.com/lex</a><br /> <b>Fin:</b> AI agent for customer service.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/fin-ep481-sc">https://fin.ai/lex</a><br /> <b>Shopify:</b> Sell stuff online.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep481-sc">https://shopify.com/lex</a><br /> <b>LMNT:</b> Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep481-sc">https://drinkLMNT.com/lex</a><br /> <b>Hampton:</b> Community for high-growth founders and CEOs.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/hampton-ep481-sc">https://joinhampton.com/lex</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> (00:00) – Introduction<br /> (01:09) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections<br /> (09:00) – Drugs in post-WWI Germany<br /> (19:18) – Nazi rise to power<br /> (23:45) – Hitler’s drug use<br /> (29:37) – Response to historian criticism<br /> (46:16) – Pervitin<br /> (1:00:15) – Blitzkrieg and meth<br /> (1:18:52) – Erwin Rommel (Crystal Fox)<br /> (1:23:02) – Dunkirk<br /> (1:31:06) – Hitler’s drug addiction<br /> (1:47:03) – Methamphetamine<br /> (1:48:57) – Invasion of Soviet Union<br /> (2:07:54) – Cocaine<br /> (2:16:49) – Hitler’s last days<br /> (2:36:48) – German resistance against Nazis<br /> (2:58:59) – Totalitarianism<br /> (3:04:09) – Stoned Sapiens – Drugs in human history<br /> (3:19:20) – Religion<br /> (3:30:09) – LSD, CIA, and MKUltra<br /> (3:55:39) – Writing on drugs<br /> (4:08:40) – Berlin night clubs<br /> (4:19:14) – Greatest book ever written</p>
Chapters (1/23)
Show Notes
Norman Ohler is a historian and author of “Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich,” a book that investigates the role of psychoactive drugs, particularly stimulants such as methamphetamine, in the military history of World War II. It is a book that two legendary historians Ian Kershaw and Antony Beevor give very high praise for its depth of research. Norman also wrote “Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of the Psychedelic Age”, and he is working on a new book “Stoned Sapiens” looking at the history of human civilization through the lens of drugs. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep481-sc See below for , transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
Transcript: lexfridman.com/norman-ohler-transcript
CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: lexfridman.com/survey AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: lexfridman.com/ama Hiring – join our team: lexfridman.com/hiring Other – other ways to get in touch: lexfridman.com/contact
EPISODE LINKS: Stoned Sapiens Substack: substack.com/@stonedsapiens Norman’s X: @normanohler Norman’s Instagram: @normanohler Norman’s YouTube: @Norman-Ohler Norman’s Website: normanohler.de Norman’s books: amzn.to/46uNS18 Blitzed: amzn.to/4mmY2XC The Bohemians: amzn.to/3KubPhK Tripped: amzn.to/4nEy7eX
SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: UPLIFT Desk: Standing desks and office ergonomics. Go to upliftdesk.com/lex Fin: AI agent for customer service. Go to fin.ai/lex Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to shopify.com/lex LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to drinkLMNT.com/lex Hampton: Community for high-growth founders and CEOs. Go to joinhampton.com/lex
OUTLINE:
- (00:00) – Introduction
- (01:09) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections
- (09:00) – Drugs in post-WWI Germany
- (19:18) – Nazi rise to power
- (23:45) – Hitler’s drug use
- (29:37) – Response to historian criticism
- (46:16) – Pervitin
- (1:00:15) – Blitzkrieg and meth
- (1:18:52) – Erwin Rommel (Crystal Fox)
- (1:23:02) – Dunkirk
- (1:31:06) – Hitler’s drug addiction
- (1:47:03) – Methamphetamine
- (1:48:57) – Invasion of Soviet Union
- (2:07:54) – Cocaine
- (2:16:49) – Hitler’s last days
- (2:36:48) – German resistance against Nazis
- (2:58:59) – Totalitarianism
- (3:04:09) – Stoned Sapiens – Drugs in human history
- (3:19:20) – Religion
- (3:30:09) – LSD, CIA, and MKUltra
- (3:55:39) – Writing on drugs
- (4:08:40) – Berlin night clubs
- (4:19:14) – Greatest book ever written
Raw Description
<p>Norman Ohler is a historian and author of “Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich,” a book that investigates the role of psychoactive drugs, particularly stimulants such as methamphetamine, in the military history of World War II. It is a book that two legendary historians Ian Kershaw and Antony Beevor give very high praise for its depth of research. Norman also wrote “Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of the Psychedelic Age”, and he is working on a new book “Stoned Sapiens” looking at the history of human civilization through the lens of drugs.<br /> Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep481-sc">https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep481-sc</a><br /> See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.</p> <p><b>Transcript:</b><br /> <a href="https://lexfridman.com/norman-ohler-transcript">https://lexfridman.com/norman-ohler-transcript</a></p> <p><b>CONTACT LEX:</b><br /> <b>Feedback</b> – give feedback to Lex: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/survey">https://lexfridman.com/survey</a><br /> <b>AMA</b> – submit questions, videos or call-in: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/ama">https://lexfridman.com/ama</a><br /> <b>Hiring</b> – join our team: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/hiring">https://lexfridman.com/hiring</a><br /> <b>Other</b> – other ways to get in touch: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/contact">https://lexfridman.com/contact</a></p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Stoned Sapiens Substack: <a href="https://substack.com/@stonedsapiens">https://substack.com/@stonedsapiens</a><br /> Norman’s X: <a href="https://x.com/normanohler">https://x.com/normanohler</a><br /> Norman’s Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/normanohler">https://www.instagram.com/normanohler</a><br /> Norman’s YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Norman-Ohler">https://www.youtube.com/@Norman-Ohler</a><br /> Norman’s Website: <a href="https://www.normanohler.de">https://www.normanohler.de</a><br /> Norman’s books: <a href="https://amzn.to/46uNS18">https://amzn.to/46uNS18</a><br /> Blitzed: <a href="https://amzn.to/4mmY2XC">https://amzn.to/4mmY2XC</a><br /> The Bohemians: <a href="https://amzn.to/3KubPhK">https://amzn.to/3KubPhK</a><br /> Tripped: <a href="https://amzn.to/4nEy7eX">https://amzn.to/4nEy7eX</a></p> <p><b>SPONSORS:</b><br /> To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:<br /> <b>UPLIFT Desk:</b> Standing desks and office ergonomics.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/uplift_desk-ep481-sc">https://upliftdesk.com/lex</a><br /> <b>Fin:</b> AI agent for customer service.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/fin-ep481-sc">https://fin.ai/lex</a><br /> <b>Shopify:</b> Sell stuff online.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep481-sc">https://shopify.com/lex</a><br /> <b>LMNT:</b> Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep481-sc">https://drinkLMNT.com/lex</a><br /> <b>Hampton:</b> Community for high-growth founders and CEOs.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/hampton-ep481-sc">https://joinhampton.com/lex</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> (00:00) – Introduction<br /> (01:09) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections<br /> (09:00) – Drugs in post-WWI Germany<br /> (19:18) – Nazi rise to power<br /> (23:45) – Hitler’s drug use<br /> (29:37) – Response to historian criticism<br /> (46:16) – Pervitin<br /> (1:00:15) – Blitzkrieg and meth<br /> (1:18:52) – Erwin Rommel (Crystal Fox)<br /> (1:23:02) – Dunkirk<br /> (1:31:06) – Hitler’s drug addiction<br /> (1:47:03) – Methamphetamine<br /> (1:48:57) – Invasion of Soviet Union<br /> (2:07:54) – Cocaine<br /> (2:16:49) – Hitler’s last days<br /> (2:36:48) – German resistance against Nazis<br /> (2:58:59) – Totalitarianism<br /> (3:04:09) – Stoned Sapiens – Drugs in human history<br /> (3:19:20) – Religion<br /> (3:30:09) – LSD, CIA, and MKUltra<br /> (3:55:39) – Writing on drugs<br /> (4:08:40) – Berlin night clubs<br /> (4:19:14) – Greatest book ever written</p>
