Drugs in the Old West

DISCLAIMER: This video is a historical documentary about medicine, pharmacy, and substance use in 19th-century America. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing in this video promotes, encourages, or provides instruction for the use of any illegal substance. Many of the substances discussed were legal during the period covered but are now controlled substances. They caused enormous harm, addiction, and loss of life, both then and now. This channel does not condone or promote illegal drug use of any kind. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, help is available through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357, a free, confidential, 24/7 resource.

This is a documentary-style look at pharmaceutical use on the American frontier. We cover the history of morphine and the hypodermic syringe, the myth of the Civil War Soldier's Disease, the real history of opium dens in mining towns like Virginia City, the first anti-opium laws in American history, and the truth behind certain movies like Tombstone and Wild Bill. We also dig into the history of cocaine in patent medicine, whether cowboys really smoked cannabis, Quanah Parker and his advocacy of peyote, Doc Holliday’s use of laudanum, and how Bayer marketed heroin as a cough remedy in 1898.

Wild West Quiz - https://wildwestquiz.com/

Check out the website! https://www.wildwestextra.com/

Email me! https://www.wildwestextra.com/contact/

Free Newsletter! https://wildwestjosh.substack.com/

Buy Me A Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/wildwest

Join Patreon for ad-free bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/wildwestextra

Merch! https://wildwestextramerch.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices