Backround: Methamphetamine was first synthesised in 1893 by Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi. In 1919, chemist Akira Ogata for the first time synthesised methamphetamine in crystalline form. The compound was used as a remedy for asthma, fever, runny nose and pain. It was also used in psychiatry for the treatment of schizophrenia or addiction to alcohol or morphine. Methamphetamine was used in the World War II, where it gained popularity amongst soldiers. The Allies used amphetamine for the same purposes. After the end of the war, a methamphetamine crisis broke out in Japan due to the opening of methamphetamine warehouses. This crisis lasted until the end of 1950s. Aims: The aim of the research was to map various areas of use and abuse of methamphetamine from its discovery to the late 1950s and to describe a history of methamphetamine, its use in the World War II and the following methamphetamine epidemic in Japan. Methods: This work was written using a content analysis of primary and secondary documents which were searched in electronic databases. A universum was defined which included 3 categories: history of methamphetamine, World War II and postwar Japan. In each category keywords were determined according to which relevant documents were searched. These were sorted into primary categories, as well as by the year of creation and focus. Subsequently, the content analysis itself and the creation of the text of the work was carried out. Results and conclusion: Methamphetamine, along with amphetamine, was invented as a stronger substitute for ephedrine and epinephrine. It was used in medicine, but also abused to induce euphoria, excess energy and reduce the feeling of hunger. During World War II, it was massively abused by soldiers of Germany and Japan, who were therefore able to stay awake for longer time and could better focus in missions. After the end of the war, a methamphetamine epidemic broke out in Japan, resulting in a change of legislation and the campaign against drugs. This crisis passed in 1957 when the number of addicts began to decrease.

Key words: methamphetamine – Nagai Nagayoshi – Akira Ogata – Lazär Edelenau – Otto Ranke – kamikaze –Temmler Werke – Philopon – Yakuza – shabu