Exploring JFK and Historical Figures’ Drug Use

John F. Kennedy was just 43 when he became the second youngest president in U.S. history, but he was far from healthy.

“The man was essentially a walking pharmacy,” Sam Kelly notes in his book, Human History on Drugs: A Completely Scandalous, But Completely True Appearance of History under Influence.

To manage a range of health issues—everything from bronchitis to chronic back pain—JFK relied on a daily mix of various medications. His regimen included opioids, amphetamines, barbiturates, antibiotics, and antipsychotics.

Besides those, he also dabbled in recreational drugs like cocaine and marijuana. Interestingly, JFK reportedly had some wild habits, with some substances being administered in rather direct manners.

Robert Kennedy even joked, “If a mosquito bites my brother, the mosquitoes die.”

According to Kelly, JFK wasn’t alone in this. Many renowned figures throughout history had their own issues with drugs.

He cites personalities like George Washington, Queen Victoria, Sigmund Freud, and even Adolf Hitler, asserting that they all had their flaws and faced challenges, just like any other person.

The book details the stories of 40 historical figures, demonstrating how often they indulged—sometimes heavily—in substances. For instance, Elvis Presley was known to carry around multiple prescription medications while on tour, and Alexander the Great famously downed undiluted wine with a staggering alcohol content.

Then there’s Pope Leo XIII, who, during his tenure in the late 19th century, enjoyed wine mixed with cocaine, which Kelly likens to Popeye consuming spinach for strength.

George Washington, for his part, relied on opium (specifically laudanum) to cope with pain from poorly fitting dentures, washing it down with strong alcohol.

Richard Nixon also presents a striking example; he often used to summon members of his cabinet late at night while under the influence, leading to some pretty chaotic moments. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once remarked that if Nixon followed his own whims, there would be a nuclear crisis weekly.

Hitler, meanwhile, had a massive intake of cocaine and methamphetamine, to the point where he was oblivious to the dire situation Germany found itself in during the war. “Hitler was astronomically high,” Kelly observes.

Howard Hughes, the eccentric filmmaker and aviator, became dependent on codeine after a tragic plane accident. He had his personal doctor write prescriptions for his entourage and often injected the drug directly into his muscles. After his passing, an autopsy revealed several needles embedded in his arm.

For individuals like Hughes, whether for recreation or creativity, drug use was often perceived as a means to achieve clarity of thought. Andy Warhol, for instance, claimed that he used drugs to enhance his creative output, even if he insisted he was only “on hold.”

His preferred stimulant was Obetrol, a combination of amphetamine and methamphetamine, which he took in large quantities.

As for Steve Jobs, he described his experiences with LSD as transformative, claiming they were among the most significant in his life. A use that began in high school escalated after he journeyed to India seeking spiritual growth.

Jobs’ experimentation with drugs influenced his outlook on business as well. He envisioned creating revolutionary technology that could change the world, believing that his drug use had really expanded his perspective.