I read (but never verified) that it was added to the drinking water of political prisoners by the Nazis *and* Communists because it made them more docile. Based on the amount of “fact checks” you encounter upon trying to research it, it’s at least likely to be true.
From a spiritual perspective it allegedly calcifies your Pineal Gland, thus disrupting/weakening your spiritual connection to whatever metaphysical something you believe to be connected to your meatsuit. Difficult to verify without opening up any skulls. :)