In reply to ehole:
> Did some of our climbing heroes take amphetamines to help get strong? Should this influence the way we consider routes in the past, and help with discussions into why standards appear to have plateaued despite improvements in equipment, training and funding?
> If this has been a topic for discussion before I'm sorry to be repetitive.
I don't know about performance enhancing in everyday terms - although recreationaly in the 70's it was widespread in my sphere.
I've used amphetamines twice in the alps in situations of extremis, both while engaged in epic retreats in storms - Eiger NF, and Brouillard Face of Mont Blanc.
When you've gone beyond running on empty, they can give a kick of adrenalin and energy.