What drugs was Kennedy on?
Asked by: Dr. Grace Ferry I | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (33 votes)
When people ask "What drugs was Kennedy on?", they usually mean John F. Kennedy (JFK) or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), and both had complex drug histories: JFK used stimulants, painkillers (including for Addison's disease/chronic pain), and possibly other substances for his many ailments, while RFK Jr. admitted to heavy heroin use in his youth, which he overcame through treatment.
What were JFK's last words before he died?
Nellie Connally turned and commented to Kennedy, who was sitting behind her, "Mr. President, they can't make you believe now that there are not some in Dallas who love and appreciate you, can they?" Kennedy's reply – "No, they sure can't" – were his last words.
Why was JFK's coffin dropped in the ocean?
JFK's first coffin was dropped in the ocean in 1966 at the request of his brother, Robert Kennedy, to prevent it from becoming a morbid relic or souvenir, honoring JFK's own consideration for a burial at sea and keeping it from falling into the wrong hands, by drilling holes, weighting it with sandbags, and sinking it deep in the Atlantic, far from shipping lanes.
What disease did President Kennedy have?
Kennedy's Disease, or Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), is a rare, inherited neuromuscular disorder primarily affecting males, causing progressive muscle weakness, wasting (atrophy), cramps, and twitching (fasciculations) due to degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem. Caused by a genetic mutation (CAG repeat expansion in the androgen receptor gene) on the X chromosome, it typically starts in adulthood (20s-40s) with limb weakness, facial/swallowing/speech issues (bulbar symptoms), and sometimes hormonal problems like gynecomastia, with supportive care being the current approach.
How many times was JFK shot?
Friday, November 22, 1963
Kennedy is shot twice, once in the upper back and once in the head; Gov. John Connally also is wounded by rifle fire. Television networks begin reporting the shooting. Priests arrive at Parkland Hospital to perform last rites for president.
JFK's Hidden Health Secrets Uncovered - Biographical Documentary
Was Jackie Kennedy's pink suit cleaned?
The suit, which was never cleaned, is kept out of public view in "an acid-free container in a windowless room ... the precise location is kept secret.
Could JFK survive the first shot?
Yes, most experts and witnesses believe President Kennedy likely could have survived the first shot, which entered his back and exited his throat, but the combination of that wound, the impact of the back brace (girdle), and the fatal head shot made survival impossible. Doctors at Parkland Hospital noted he was still breathing on arrival, but the massive head wound proved unsurvivable, and the first bullet's trajectory might have been less severe without his stiff back brace forcing his body forward, creating the conditions for the subsequent shots.
What painkillers did JFK take?
The records show that Kennedy variously took codeine, Demerol and methadone for pain; Ritalin, a stimulant; meprobamate and librium for anxiety; barbiturates for sleep; thyroid hormone; and injections of a blood derivative, gamma globulin, presumably to combat infections.
What are the red flags of Addison's disease?
Red flags for Addison's disease include extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, dizziness/fainting upon standing (postural hypotension), salt cravings, and darkening skin (hyperpigmentation), especially on scars, lips, or skin folds, with a sudden worsening (adrenal crisis) presenting as severe pain, confusion, or collapse.
Why does JFK have a raspy voice?
Kennedy has a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder that impacts the muscles in the voice box, also known as the larynx, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
Why was there blood on Jackie's dress?
Jackie Kennedy wore her blood-stained pink suit after President Kennedy's assassination as a powerful, silent statement to show the world the brutal reality and horror of the event, refusing to clean herself or the suit because she wanted "them to see what they've done to Jack". She kept it on for the rest of the day, including during Lyndon B. Johnson's swearing-in on Air Force One, making it a poignant symbol of national trauma, quiet grief, and dignified protest, according to posts on Facebook and People.com.
What were JFK Jr's last words?
Kennedy answered, “No, sir, I'm, uh, actually I'm heading a little, uh, north of it, uh, eastbound.” After the tower controller instructed Kennedy to “make it a right downwind departure then,” Kennedy responded, “Right downwind departure two two.” Those were his final recorded words.
Which president was buried twice?
President John F. Kennedy (JFK) was buried twice at Arlington National Cemetery after his assassination, first in a temporary grave in November 1963 and then moved in a secret ceremony in March 1967 to a permanent, more elaborate site with an eternal flame, alongside his wife Jacqueline and some of their children.
What was the last thing JFK ate?
President John F. Kennedy's last meal, on the morning of November 22, 1963, in his Fort Worth hotel room, was a simple breakfast of two five-minute soft-boiled eggs, crisp oven-baked bacon, toast with orange marmalade and butter, fresh orange juice, and coffee with hot milk, a typical and familiar meal before his assassination hours later.
Did people cry when JFK died?
The news shocked the nation. Many people wept openly. Crowds gathered in public places to watch the television coverage. Traffic in some areas came to a halt as the news spread from car to car, even gathering around cars to listen to radio reports.
Who was Jackie Kennedy's last lover?
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's last romantic partner was Maurice Tempelsman, a Belgian-American diamond magnate and businessman who was her companion from the 1980s until her death in 1994, with whom she shared a private relationship, including managing her finances and providing care during her illness.
Which skin color is associated with Addison's disease?
Pigmentation can be brownish black, homogeneous, or blotchy and may involve the skin, oral cavity, conjunctiva, and genitalia. It is also called as bronze pigmentation. It does not depend on the gender or race.
What are early signs of adrenal crisis?
Signs of an adrenal crisis include:
- severe dehydration.
- pale, cold, clammy skin.
- sweating.
- rapid, shallow breathing.
- dizziness.
- severe vomiting and diarrhoea.
- severe muscle weakness.
- headache.
Which patient is most likely to have Addison's disease?
Addison's disease can affect people of all age groups, but it's most common in people 30 to 50 years old. People who have autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome, a rare, inherited condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks many of your tissues and organs, are much more likely to have Addison's disease.
Was JFK a smoker?
Although a true aficionado, JFK was never a dedicated smoker in the Churchillian sense, which may be why the small, slim panatelas that he favored were never renamed "Kennedys." He would usually puff one for a while, then set it down, unfinished and forgotten, while he became engrossed in conversation or in his dinner ...
How did RFK Jr. get the brain worm?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely contracted a pork tapeworm parasite from contaminated food or water while traveling in Asia, Africa, or South America for his environmental work, leading to a neurocysticercosis infection, a condition where tapeworm larvae form cysts in the brain, which he revealed in a 2012 deposition. Although he described the worm as eating part of his brain, experts suggest the larvae absorb nutrients and die, causing inflammation, but the issue was resolved over a decade ago, and his campaign states he's now in excellent health.
What celebrities have Addison's disease?
Famous figures with Addison's disease include U.S. President John F. Kennedy, author Jane Austen, singer Helen Reddy, philanthropist Eunice Kennedy Shriver, actor Daniel Stewart, and Indian actress Sushmita Sen, with some managed the condition publicly (like Kennedy, who hid it) and others sharing their experiences to raise awareness, highlighting the disease's impact from historical figures to modern celebrities.
Which president could read 2000 words a minute?
President Jimmy Carter is widely cited as the U.S. President who could read around 2,000 words per minute with high comprehension, a skill he developed in speed-reading courses to manage presidential paperwork, though some experts question the true depth of comprehension at such speeds for most people. He learned this technique alongside his daughter, Amy, to keep up with the massive influx of documents, demonstrating an exceptional ability that contrasted with the average reader.
How many times was Officer Tippit shot?
The man pulled out a . 38 revolver and shot Officer Tippit four times. He died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, leaving behind his wife, Marie, and three young children.
Why did Jackie Kennedy crawl to the back of the car?
Jackie Kennedy climbed onto the back of the presidential limousine to retrieve fragments of her husband's skull and brain matter that had been blown onto the trunk after the fatal headshot, as revealed by Secret Service agent Clint Hill, who was also on the car; she was in shock and trying to gather the pieces while cradling the President, though she had no memory of the act later.