logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
43m 40s

America’s Human Test Subjects

Wondery | Ballen Studios
About this episode

The Cold War made America desperate for new weapons. The military looked beyond nuclear bombs into chemicals and drugs: LSD and Sarin gas. But first, they needed test subjects. They turned to their own soldiers and turned men into lab rats. Today’s episode explores two stories about these experiments and their lasting effects on the soldiers they treated as guinea pigs. 

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Follow Redacted: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/redacted/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Aug 27
Introducing: American Criminal
Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole are two of history’s most prolific serial killers. Or they’re liars who aren’t to be trusted. Either way, they’ve both got red in their ledger – all stemming from their twisted beginnings. American Criminal takes you inside the minds of some of our ... Show More
16m 23s
Aug 19
WikiLeaks: The Hacker Who Exposed America's Darkest Secrets
When Julian Assange released classified footage of a U.S. helicopter strike that killed two journalists and several civilians in 2010, it catapulted WikiLeaks into global headlines. As Assange unleashed a flood of classified documents, he sparked protests, fractured alliances, an ... Show More
35m 39s
Aug 12
Castle Bravo: America's Deadliest Nuclear Mistake
On March 1, 1954, a Japanese fishing boat called the Lucky Dragon No. 5 was sailing near the Marshall Islands when its crew was caught in the fallout of a secret U.S. hydrogen bomb test. Code named Castle Bravo, the test released far more radiation than scientists had anticipated ... Show More
29m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
The Wright Brothers | Fliers or Liars | 2
<p>By 1903, inventors and adventurers in Britain and France were launching their own experimental aircraft skyward. In the U.S., crowds gathered outside Washington, D.C. to see Samuel Langley of the Smithsonian Institution test his highly-anticipated “aerodrome”, only to watch th ... Show More
40m 28s
Feb 2025
Buffalo Soldiers | The Brass Letters | 1
<p>In the spring of 1865, with the Civil War finally over, American lawmakers began to debate whether Black soldiers would have a permanent place in the peacetime Army. Some 180,000 Black men had fought in the Union ranks, but never before in the nation’s history had they been al ... Show More
38m 35s
Sep 9
Fan Favorite | Culture Clash
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.When a quiet town in Oregon is ... Show More
31m 22s
Aug 19
Fan Favorite | Blood Feast
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.One night in 1944, over 300 pat ... Show More
24m 59s
Aug 11
Surveillance and Sabotage on the Dakota Access Pipeline
<p>When activists Jessica Reznicek and Ruby Montoya take drastic measures to halt construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, they have no idea that a shadowy private security contractor called TigerSwan has them in its sights.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Special thanks to:</p><p>Alle ... Show More
44m 9s
Apr 2025
Episode 615: The Montauk Project Part I - The Truth Behind The Truth Behind The Lies
<p>This week the boys break out the tin foil hats and venture deep into the world of Conspiracy Theory with a tale that connects the dots between WWII, The Philadelphia Experiment, Deep Underground Military Bases, Alien Experimentation, Militarized Psychics, Time Travel, Nazi Gol ... Show More
1h 46m
Sep 4
Fan Favorite | The Carancas Curse
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.In September 2007, a meteor str ... Show More
30m 36s
Oct 7
The Big Burn | The Blow-Up | 2
<p>As the fires spread, ranger Ed Pulaski tries to lead his men on a last-ditch effort to save the town of Wallace. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Soldiers race to build firebreaks around Avery, and head ranger Bill Weigle realizes he’s made a terrible mistake.&nbsp;</p><p>Order your cop ... Show More
38m 11s
Nov 5
Listen Now: American History Tellers | The Mayflower
<p>The Cold War, Prohibition, the Gold Rush, the Space Race. Every part of your life - the words you speak, the ideas you share - can be traced to our history, but how well do you really know the stories that made America? We'll take you to the events, the times and the people th ... Show More
3m 31s
Aug 7
Howard Hughes Blows Up Hollywood | Censored | 2
<p>Howard Hughes embraces sex and violence in his quest to conquer Hollywood. But his sensationalist approach clashes with industry regulators and censors, sparking a high-stakes battle over artistic freedom, public morality, and the future of American cinema.</p><p>Be the first ... Show More
34m 56s