Methamphetamine, a powerful central nervous system stimulant, was legally prescribed by doctors across the United States in the 1950s. The medical community viewed the compound as an effective tool for managing a wide range of physical and mental conditions. The substance’s primary action is to increase the levels of certain neurochemicals in the brain, which produced effects desirable for various therapeutic applications. This widespread acceptance established it as a staple in many mid-century medicine cabinets before its dangers became fully understood.
The Primary Role in Weight Management
The most frequent medical application for methamphetamine during the 1950s was its use as an anorectic, or appetite suppressant, to treat obesity. It was highly popular for weight control, particularly among women. The drug works by mimicking the action of natural stress hormones, which communicate to the brain that the body is not in need of food.
This chemical action leads to a decrease in hunger signals, making it easier for patients to adhere to restrictive diets. The stimulant properties of methamphetamine also increase a patient’s general metabolic rate and physical activity levels. This combined effect of reduced caloric intake and increased energy expenditure provided rapid results that physicians found compelling for weight management. The drug’s ability to boost energy helped counteract the fatigue often accompanying a low-calorie diet.
Treating Fatigue, Depression, and Neurological Disorders
Methamphetamine was prescribed for a variety of conditions related to mood and alertness due to its potent stimulant effects. It was frequently employed to treat depression, a condition for which effective pharmaceutical options were limited at the time. The drug stimulates dopamine and norepinephrine pathways, providing a rapid elevation in mood and a sense of well-being.
Physicians also prescribed the drug for chronic fatigue, sometimes described as general apathy or a lack of energy. By increasing central nervous system activity, methamphetamine could promote wakefulness and increase alertness, helping patients feel more productive. A specific use was the treatment of narcolepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. For these patients, the drug maintained wakefulness and prevented the sudden onset of sleep attacks.
Common Brand Names and Prescribing Practices
Methamphetamine was distributed under several pharmaceutical trade names in the 1950s. Among the most prevalent were Methedrine and Desoxyn, both legally manufactured and marketed for medical use. These products were available in tablet and sometimes injectable formulations, accessible with a doctor’s prescription.
Prescribing practices were relaxed compared to modern standards, and the drug was often dispensed to a broad segment of society for its general stimulant effects. It was sometimes included in combination pills, formulated alongside substances like barbiturates to counteract intense side effects. This practice of pairing the stimulant with a sedative attempted to manage the anxiety and insomnia that methamphetamine frequently caused.
The Beginnings of Medical Scrutiny
Toward the close of the 1950s, the medical community began to recognize the significant drawbacks associated with the widespread prescribing of methamphetamine. Clinical reports detailed patients developing a tolerance to the drug, meaning they required progressively higher doses to achieve the same therapeutic effect. This escalating dosage requirement indicated the drug’s high potential for physical dependence and misuse.
Doctors also observed severe psychiatric complications in long-term users, including paranoia, hallucinations, and amphetamine psychosis. This increasing awareness of the drug’s drawbacks began to temper the enthusiasm for its therapeutic application. In 1959, the United States Food and Drug Administration required prescriptions for amphetamine inhalers, signaling a shift in regulatory attitude toward these stimulants.