What are the controversial origins and military applications of fluoride in water, and how does this challenge the mainstream narrative about its benefits?

According to Joe Rogan, fluoride originated as a waste byproduct from aluminum production, particularly from companies like Alcoa, which needed disposal solutions. He suggests this led to deals with the American Dental Association to introduce fluoride into public water systems under the guise of dental health benefits. Rogan references "Legacy of Ashes" by Tim Weiner and his CIA uncle Donald Gregg to claim that fluoride was historically used as a military strategy. He alleges that agents would fluoridate enemy water supplies to make populations docile and easier to capture during warfare operations. This perspective challenges the conventional public health narrative by framing water fluoridation not as a beneficial health measure, but as a repurposed industrial waste product with documented neurotoxic effects used for population control.