Opioids were allegedly effective as propaganda in Vietnam because users wouldn't stay down when shot until they were actually dead. It doesn't offset the downs

Opioids were allegedly effective as propaganda in Vietnam because users wouldn't stay down when shot until they were actually dead. It doesn't offset the downsides, but there are advantages. Amphetamines have kind of dubious advantages. The benefits of increased stamina and "courage" are heavily offset by the impact on critical thinking, especially with sustained use. Afaik, the only use by professional militaries is for pilots where the regimen is much easier to monitor and maintain. Russia allegedly used them during the invasion of Ukraine, but I'd be curious if they were given to professional soldiers or conscripts/shock troops. At the end of WWII, the Germans were messing with a tablet that was a compound of cocaine, methamphetamine and oxycodone. I cannot even imagine what the come down from all that plus a 90 km/day marching speed with 20kg of equipment was like.