Adrenochrome: What really lies behind the myth

Adrenochrome – a substance originally from the chemistry book, but today it fuels dark legends. Allegedly, elites use it as a rejuvenation elixir, supposedly it is derived from children's blood, and it is said to have psychedelic effects. What is the truth behind these stories? In this blog, we take a closer look – with a clear mind, facts on the table, and a glimpse behind the scenes of perhaps the quirkiest myth in pop culture.

What is Adrenochrome anyway?

When you google "Adrenochrome" today, you end up down the rabbit hole faster than at a credible source. From drug fantasies to elite cults and bizarre stories about children's blood, it's all there. It's worth taking a sober look at what this is actually about – and it's far less spectacular than the mythical world surrounding it.

Adrenochrome is a chemical compound that forms when the stress hormone Adrenaline (more precisely: Epinephrine) oxidizes in the body or in a laboratory – that is, when it reacts with oxygen. The result is a reddish-brown substance with the molecular formula C9H9NO3. Sounds more like a chemistry class and less like a Hollywood conspiracy, doesn't it?

In medical research, Adrenochrome appeared as early as the 1950s. Back then, it was investigated whether it played a role in schizophrenia. Some researchers thought that an excess of it in the brain could trigger psychotic symptoms. This theory has largely been debunked – but the idea that Adrenochrome could be somehow mind-altering has persisted. And that's where it gets interesting – or better yet: dangerously vague.

Because what was originally a byproduct of biochemistry later became a favorite toy for conspiracy believers. More on that shortly.

Before we dive into the depths of fantasy: Adrenochrome is not a miracle drug, not a universal drug and certainly not an elixir of immortality. It is an unstable substance that breaks down quite quickly in the body – and nowadays plays no significant role in medicine.

In the next section, we will look at how this myth came about – and what research really knows about the effects and history of Adrenochrome.

Ready for a bit of fact detox? Let's go!

Adrenochrome: Effects, History, and Research

If one wonders why Adrenochrome became the substance around which so many legends revolve, one must look back a few decades—to a time when LSD was still legal, psychiatry was a bit of trial and error, and authors like Hunter S. Thompson created their own truths.

A Brief Retrospective: How Adrenochrome Entered the Public Eye

1. 1950s: Initial Medical Theories
   Scientists like Abram Hoffer and Humphry Osmond studied Adrenochrome in connection with schizophrenia. Their hypothesis: The substance could induce symptoms similar to psychosis. Although this was later disproven, the idea was born that Adrenochrome might have hallucinogenic effects.

2. 1971: “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”
   Hunter S. Thompson, the master of Gonzo journalism, writes in his legendary book about a drug trip involving Adrenochrome extracted from human glands—a pure fiction, but extremely impactful. The scene became the spark for many myths, especially since it was later impressively portrayed by Johnny Depp in the film.

3. Research? Hardly Any.
   Adrenochrome never took the main stage in science. Today, it is considered unstable, difficult to synthesize, and medically irrelevant. There is no clinically proven intoxicating effect, no therapeutic application—in short: It is not a substance with which one could make money or "rejuvenate" people, even if the internet suggests otherwise.

And What Are the Actual Effects of Adrenochrome?

Here comes the disappointment for those hoping for a super hallucinogen:
Adrenochrome is quickly broken down in the body, its effects are unclear and at most slightly measurable in test tubes or animal experiments. Some report slight changes in perception—but scientifically, this is neither proven nor reproducible. Most of it comes from anecdotes, novels, or the internet.

Conclusion at This Point:
The notion that Adrenochrome is a powerful drug or a means of altering consciousness is a myth—fueled by literature, pop culture, and a lot of wishful thinking. In reality, it is a rather unreliable, short-lived substance without demonstrably spectacular effects.

In the next section, we will look at how Adrenochrome is supposedly obtained—and why these stories have more in common with horror movie scripts than with reality.

How Is Adrenochrome Obtained—Or Is It at All?

If you believe the common narratives from the dark corners of the internet, the "extraction of adrenochrome" sounds like something out of a dystopian horror film: children in underground labs, agonizing fear as a raw material, and an elite securing eternal youth with it. Sounds crazy? It is. But let's start from the beginning.

What does science say about adrenochrome extraction?

From a purely chemical perspective, adrenochrome is not a particularly exotic substance. It is formed when adrenaline oxidizes – that is, when it reacts with oxygen. This can also be done synthetically in the lab. In the past, this was occasionally done for research purposes. The notion that one must extract fresh, human adrenaline from living bodies for this is complete nonsense.

Why this idea went viral anyway

The conspiracy narrative around adrenochrome as the "elite's child blood drug" is based on the idea that adrenaline is released in a body under extreme stress – ideally in a fear-inducing situation. This idea was then further spun: If blood is drawn from a person (often children are mentioned in these narratives) under maximum stress, the adrenochrome contained is supposedly particularly "pure" or "effective."

The problem?
This assumption is based on neither scientifically proven physiological processes nor known medical procedures. It is simply a modern myth – a cruel, fictional narrative that has been deliberately spread, particularly in the circles of QAnon & Co., to incite fear, distrust, and anger.

And what about children's hospices, underground labs & Co.?

The most extreme stories speak of children's hospices as "breeding grounds" for adrenochrome. This is not only far-fetched but also a cynical insult to the real work of these facilities, which care for seriously ill children with compassion and dedication every day.

The fact is:

• There is not a single scientific proof of organized adrenochrome extraction from humans.
• Adrenochrome can be synthesized in the lab – but there is no interest because the substance has little medical use.
• The "sources" for these horror stories almost exclusively come from forums, YouTube videos, and dubious Telegram channels.

In short: The alleged "extraction of adrenochrome" from humans is a modern fairy tale with a dark twist – but not a real phenomenon.

The Great Conspiracy: Child Blood, Elites, and Dark Fantasies

When it comes to adrenochrome, one eventually encounters the so-called adrenochrome conspiracy. Since the rise of the QAnon movement, stories have circulated online about a global elite that kidnaps, tortures, and extracts adrenochrome from children to rejuvenate themselves or get highs. It sounds like a bad horror movie—and it is. Unfortunately, many people believe in it.

Why do people believe such things?

Conspiracy narratives like this offer simple explanations for a complicated world. They create a "good versus evil" narrative in which the believer sees themselves as part of the enlightened. Combined with social media bubbles, algorithmic amplification, and emotional topics like child abuse, a dynamic emerges that is difficult to stop with facts.

Particularly insidious: These stories exploit real fears (e.g., of child abuse or abuse of power) and distort them into the grotesque. In the end, a dangerous cocktail of distrust, hatred, and fake news is created.

Adrenochrome as a drug—a myth on shaky ground

If you navigate certain corners of the internet, you get the impression that adrenochrome is like the cocaine of the super-rich—extremely rare, extremely potent, and naturally top secret. An elixir promising expanded consciousness, ecstasy, and perhaps even spiritual enlightenment. Sounds tempting, right? Only, there's a problem. Or rather, several.

Not a substance for the party pharmacy

Adrenochrome is not a classic intoxicant.
It is chemically unstable, quickly broken down by the body, and not known to induce euphoric states. Indeed, there were attempts in the history of research to investigate a psychotropic effect—but that was many decades ago, the results were inconsistent and could never really be reproduced.

If adrenochrome were truly the gamechanger the myths claim, today you would find:

• clinical studies on it
• reports from emergency medicine (e.g., in cases of overdose)
• it on black market lists or in police statistics

But no such luck. None of these sources mention adrenochrome as a significant drug.

Hunter S. Thompson and the birth of the myth

The idea of consciousness-expanding adrenochrome comes—as with so much—from literature. In Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Hunter S. Thompson describes a scene in which adrenochrome is consumed. And it is so dramatic that it has burned into the collective memory:

“There’s only one source for this stuff… the adrenaline gland from a living human body. It’s no good if you get it out of a corpse.”

Sounds creepy, right? However, it was never intended as a medical statement. It was literature—pointed, exaggerated, and not meant for imitation.

Later, this scene was immortalized in the film of the same name with Johnny Depp—and thus, the myth finally reached the pop culture Olympus.

What remains of the alleged drug?

• There is no verifiable effect in the sense of a classic state of intoxication.
• The consumption of Adrenochrome is medically irrelevant and not widespread.
• Most people who speak of Adrenochrome as a drug get their information from books, films, or internet forums—not from research or practice.

In short: Adrenochrome is more pop culture than pharmacology as a drug. It sells well as a story—but not as a substance.

Can you buy Adrenochrome? And why no one should

Let's be honest: After all the wild stories, it's hardly surprising that some people wonder—“Okay, where can you actually get this stuff?” And yes, if you search long enough, you will indeed come across dubious offers online. From mysterious websites to obscure Telegram groups to dark corners of the darknet—Adrenochrome seems to be traded there like a secret treasure. But beware: This is more appearance than reality.

Is Adrenochrome available legally?

Theoretically: yes.
Practically: only for research and under very strict conditions.

Some chemical suppliers list Adrenochrome as a laboratory reagent—meaning a substance for scientific experiments. But here we are not talking about a scene drug, but a product with a warning label, safety data sheet, and a price tag that makes it clear: This is not for the hobby cellar.

Additionally, the substance is unstable, sensitive to light and air, and quickly loses its effects—whatever those might actually be.

What are the online offers worth?

Common sense is needed here. Many of the offers circulating online are:

• Scams: Money is taken, but no goods are delivered.
• Fakes: Some powder is sent—but certainly not real Adrenochrome.
• Illegal: Purchasing from unofficial sources can have legal consequences, especially if the substance falls under pharmaceutical or narcotics law (depending on the country).

And what if someone does take it?

Well—even if someone had real Adrenochrome in their hands (which is extremely unlikely), the question remains: Why would anyone do that to themselves?

• There are no reliable studies on the effects on humans.
• The side effects are unknown.
• The benefits? Purely speculative.

In short: Anyone looking to buy adrenochrome is chasing a myth – with uncertain outcomes but high risk.

Our advice? Don't do it. There are a thousand other ways to feel good – legally, safely, and without embarking on the path of a literary drug trip.

Conclusion: Why we must distinguish between fact and fiction with adrenochrome

Adrenochrome is a prime example of how a scientifically insignificant substance can develop into a pop culture phenomenon with dangerous side effects – not in the body, but in the mind.

What began as a biochemical byproduct became, through literature, film, and eventually the internet, a symbol for everything imaginable: drug highs, immortality, satanic rituals, elite conspiracies. And although none of this is sustainable, the myth persists – because it sounds exciting, because it caters to emotions, and because it fits perfectly into a world full of distrust and sensationalism.

What we should take away:

• Adrenochrome exists, yes – but it is neither a super drug nor a fountain of youth.
• The alleged effects are mostly fiction, fueled by novels and films.
• The stories about children's blood, elites, and secret laboratories are demonstrably invented – dangerous because they defame real aid organizations and promote conspiracy thinking.
• Anyone looking to buy adrenochrome online is highly likely to end up with fraud or in a legal gray area – and for what? For a myth.

Especially in times when truth seems increasingly negotiable, it is important to separate the wheat from the chaff. Adrenochrome is not a dark power in the background – but a small chemical shadow to which people have attributed a significance it never had.

So: Better to focus on real problems, ask real questions – and listen to real people. Debunking myths is not only healthy for the mind but also for our society.

And if you ever read something about “adrenochrome from the children's hospice” again – please, please: question it. Loudly.