Summary of “Why'd I Take Speed for Twenty Years? - Part 1 (Classic)”
Podcast: Search Engine
Host: PJ Vogt
Guest: Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen
Release Date: July 4, 2025
Introduction
In this poignant and introspective episode titled “Why'd I Take Speed for Twenty Years? - Part 1 (Classic)”, host PJ Vogt delves into his personal journey with stimulant medications, specifically amphetamines, and explores the broader historical and societal implications of these drugs. The episode is a rebroadcast aimed at welcoming new listeners by sharing one of Vogt's favorite and most personal stories.
Personal Story: PJ’s Journey with Stimulants
PJ Vogt begins by sharing his own experience with stimulant medications, detailing a two-decade-long relationship with drugs like Dexedrine, Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse. He recounts his initial hesitation at age 14 when diagnosed with ADHD and the subsequent decision to start taking Dexedrine after a transformative conversation with his doctor.
Notable Quote:
“A pill that would make it easier to sit still and focus sounded pretty magical. I just needed to put up a fight before I gave in.”
— PJ Vogt [00:51]
Vogt explains how these medications helped him navigate academic challenges, improve his productivity, and succeed in both educational and professional settings. However, after 20 years, he abruptly stopped taking them due to concerns raised by a new psychiatrist who highlighted the excessive number of medications he was on.
Transition and Change
The decision to cease stimulant use led Vogt to experience life without these drugs, bringing mixed feelings of confusion, reduced confidence, and newfound clarity. This transition sparked his curiosity about the broader history of amphetamines, prompting him to seek expertise from Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen, a historian of modern life science and author of the book “On Speed.”
Historical Overview of Amphetamines
Dr. Rasmussen provides a comprehensive history of amphetamines, tracing their origins and evolution in American society. He explains that amphetamines were first synthesized in Germany in the 1800s as a dye but were repurposed in the 1930s as a decongestant and later as the world’s first antidepressant.
Chapter 1: Invention of Amphetamine
Amphetamine was initially tested as an asthma medication but showed significant central nervous system effects, including increased heart rate and mental alertness.
Notable Quote:
“He noticed immediately it had a central nervous system effect.”
— Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [13:32]
Chapter 2: Amphetamine as the First Antidepressant
By the 1930s, amphetamines were marketed as antidepressants, redefining depression to include a lack of drive and motivation, aligning with the emerging consumerist and industrial society of the time.
Notable Quote:
“Amphetamine is the antidepressant, it's the antidepressant.”
— Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [22:56]
Chapter 3: Amphetamine in World War II
During World War II, amphetamines were extensively distributed among Allied and Axis soldiers to combat fatigue, boost morale, and enhance performance. Despite limited evidence of their efficacy over caffeine, the psychological boost provided by amphetamines contributed to their widespread military use.
Notable Quote:
“It was extremely widely distributed in the allied military.”
— Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [28:26]
Chapter 4: Post-War Proliferation and the First Epidemic
After the war, amphetamines became ubiquitous in American society, prescribed for various ailments including depression, weight loss, and attention deficits. The lack of stringent regulations allowed for rampant prescription and misuse, leading to what Dr. Rasmussen terms the first amphetamine epidemic.
Notable Quote:
“It's a story about pharmaceutical marketing and societal change.”
— Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [36:25]
Cultural Shift and Regulation
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, societal attitudes towards amphetamines began to shift dramatically. Influential figures and public campaigns started highlighting the dangers of amphetamines, leading to the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classified amphetamines and methylphenidates as Schedule II drugs. This legislation severely restricted their availability, curbed prescriptions, and marked the beginning of the decline in their legitimate use.
Notable Quote:
“Prescribing rates dropped by like tenfold in the first year and then another half the next year.”
— Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [40:13]
The Rise of ADHD Diagnosis
With the regulation of amphetamines, their use became largely confined to treating narcolepsy and a then-rare condition known as hyperkinetic disorder of childhood. However, over the decades, societal changes and increased medicalization led to a significant rise in ADHD diagnoses, particularly in the United States. This surge was fueled by pharmaceutical marketing and evolving societal expectations around attention and productivity.
Notable Quote:
“The same wave is remarkable, and it’s also remarkable that so many of these were found in America.”
— Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [50:12]
PJ’s Reflection and Diagnosis
Returning to his personal narrative, PJ Vogt reflects on his own ADHD diagnosis in 1999, which came after initial assessments that did not confirm the disorder. His subsequent diagnosis by a different specialist led him to receive accommodations that helped him succeed academically and professionally, albeit through the use of stimulant medications.
Notable Quote:
“ADHD gave me the answer to a question.”
— PJ Vogt [54:22]
Continuing the Story
The episode concludes with PJ expressing the ongoing ambiguity surrounding the efficacy and impact of stimulant medications. He acknowledges both the benefits and the uncertainties, emphasizing that some questions remain unanswered. He teases the next episode, which will explore another personal story related to prescription stimulants.
Notable Quote:
“We don't get answers to every question. Some we just learn to stop asking.”
— PJ Vogt [56:02]
Conclusion
“Why'd I Take Speed for Twenty Years? - Part 1” offers a deeply personal and historically rich exploration of amphetamines, weaving together PJ Vogt’s own experiences with a detailed account of the drug’s impact on American society. Through interviews with Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen, the episode provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between pharmaceutical marketing, societal expectations, and individual health. This comprehensive narrative not only sheds light on the past but also invites listeners to reflect on the present and future implications of stimulant use.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
PJ Vogt [00:51]:
“A pill that would make it easier to sit still and focus sounded pretty magical. I just needed to put up a fight before I gave in.” -
Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [13:32]:
“He noticed immediately it had a central nervous system effect.” -
Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [22:56]:
“Amphetamine is the antidepressant, it's the antidepressant.” -
Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [28:26]:
“It was extremely widely distributed in the allied military.” -
Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [36:25]:
“It's a story about pharmaceutical marketing and societal change.” -
Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [40:13]:
“Prescribing rates dropped by like tenfold in the first year and then another half the next year.” -
Dr. Nicholas Rasmussen [50:12]:
“The same wave is remarkable, and it’s also remarkable that so many of these were found in America.” -
PJ Vogt [54:22]:
“ADHD gave me the answer to a question.” -
PJ Vogt [56:02]:
“We don't get answers to every question. Some we just learn to stop asking.”
Final Thoughts
This episode is a compelling blend of personal memoir and scholarly analysis, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the historical and personal dimensions of stimulant use. It sets the stage for further exploration in Part 2, promising additional depth and new perspectives on the enduring legacy of amphetamines in modern life.