In the year 1893, a chemist called Nagayoshi Nagai first produced methamphetamine in Japan by using ephedrine. Then in the year 1919, Akira Ogata produced crystallized methamphetamine by using iodine and red phosphorous to reduce ephedrine. In 1887, Lazar Edeleanu first produced the interrelated compound called amphetamine in Germany.

At the time of the Second World War, amphetamine was said to be first used when this drug (whose brand name was Pervitin) was distributed to the troops by the German Military.

Methamphetamine was extensively allocated to people in different positions like aircraft personnel, tank crews and elite forces. Methamphetamine mixed with chocolate was distributed to tank crews (Panzerschokolade or tanker’s chocolate) and pilots (Fliegerschokolade or flyer’s chocolate).

It was said that the personal doctor (Theodore Morell) of Adolf Hitler gave him three IV injections of amphetamines and steroids every day. With the end of the Second World War, a huge supply of amphetamine was sold in Japan under the street name of Shabu and the Japanese Military previously held these stocks. In the year 1951, the Japanese Ministry of Health prohibited this drug as it led to the unlawful manufacturing of drug (yakuza activities). Even though this drug has been put off by the powerful social taboos, it is still linked with the Japanese criminal world.