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Pervatin was not merely a pick-me-up; it significantly impacted soldiers' performance by reducing the need for sleep and food. The psychological effects were profound, with users often feeling an exhilarating sense of confidence and invincibility. The drug's development came after the first crystalline methamphetamine was synthesized in Japan, and German pharmacologist Fritz Hauschild patented Pervatin in 1937. Initially marketed as an effective energy booster, it was available over-the-counter until 1941, when it was deemed a controlled substance.