Adrenochrome is sometimes presented as a drug made from the blood of children, but this is not the case. Focus.
Adrenochrome is a term that regularly comes up on social networks, linked to a well-known conspiracy myth in the United States. In March 2023, Gérard Fauré, ex-cocaine trafficker, argued: “Adrenochrome is children’s blood, which we take from three-year-olds.” He went on to say that celebrities like Pierre Palmade and Celine Dion would take adenochrome as a drug. On Xthe account of the show presented by Cyril Hanouna posted a message a few hours later to condemn the comments made by their guest. We asked a doctor what adrenochrome really is.
What is the conspiracy theory around adrenochrome?
The conspiracy theory claims that a global elite is kidnapping children to extract a substance called “adrenochrome” from their blood. This substance is said to be consumed to stay young, powerful, or “awake.” In these stories, we often find political figures, stars or billionaires. But no judicial evidence has established a link with adrenochrome. This conspiracy theory largely comes from the QAnon movement. QAnon is a far-right conspiracy movement born in the United States in the late 2010s. It talks about a secret child abuse network controlled by elites. Adrenochrome becomes, in this story, a kind of occult fuel.
What is adrenochrome?
“It is an old molecule, from the 1940s and 1950s, an oxidative derivative of adrenaline which has given rise to a lot of false information” answers Dr Hervé Martini, addictologist. Simply put, adrenochrome is a molecule obtained when adrenaline oxidizes. “Adrenochrome is an organic compound (formula C9 H9 NO3), which only corresponds to the result of the natural oxidation of adrenaline (or C9 H13 NO3)” he continues. Adrenaline is a hormone produced naturally by the human body in various situations such as stress or physical exertion.
Is adrenochrome a drug?
“It is absolutely not a drug or even a medicine, continues the addictologist. In France this molecule does not have AMM, that is to say no marketing authorization. Adrenochrome has no psychoactive effects and is not encountered in our clinical practice. It’s a myth that has been regularly put forward since the 1960s (notably in American conspiracy circles, editor’s note), popularized in a book by Hunter Stockton Thompson “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” which was adapted for the cinema.” The film in question was released in 1998 under the name “Las Vegas Parano” with the actors Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro in the main roles. In a scene from the film, Johnny Depp takes a drug called “adrenochrome”, a drug bought from a dealer with satanist delusions, attacking children… As AFP points out, in the comments to the DVD version of “Las Vegas Parano”, director Terry Gilliam explained that the scenes relating to the use of adrenochrome were completely invented.
Thanks to Dr. Hervé Martini, addictologist. Comments collected on March 10, 2023.
