False: For centuries, secret societies have been harvesting the blood of children to produce adrenochrome.

By: Rachel Muller-Heyndyk
January 21 2022

Share Article:

The belief that elites are murdering children for adrenochrome is part of an antisemitic conspiracy theory. It has no basis in fact. An image on Facebook showing a 16th-century style illustration of a group performing what appears to be a blood sacrifice on a child is overlaid with the text, "For centuries, secret societies have harvested the adrenaline-filled blood of children to obtain adrenochrome- which produces a euphoric like high and youthful vitality." There are no accounts of this practice taking place among secret groups at any point in time. The myth is related to an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory frequently touted by QAnon. Adrenochrome is a chemical compound. Little is known about the effects of adrenochrome. In the 1950s and 60s, small studies were conducted to see if the chemical could trigger a psychotic reaction. During this period, research by Canadian physician Abraham Hoffer concluded that adrenochrome is neurotoxic and may contribute to schizophrenia and other psychosomatic illnesses. This theory dwindled over time and is no longer used in the discussion of treatment for mental health issues. These studies heavily influenced a number of literary works, with both English writer Aldous Huxley and American journalist Hunter S. Thompson becoming interested in the potentially mind-altering properties of the chemical. Still, as discussed, this had no grounds in scientific evidence. According to a feature in Wired from October 2020, technology companies removed masses of misinformation surrounding adrenochrome from their platforms. These theories were essentially based on the rumor that Jewish people torture and feed off children and that global elites are harvesting their blood to retrieve adrenochrome to keep them young. The article adds a protest with the tagline "Child's Lives Matter," aimed to uncover instances of child trafficking in Hollywood and frequently referenced adrenochrome. The idea that children are being kidnapped and murdered by Jewish people is not new. QAnon and other conspiracy groups also repeatedly refer to bloodletting. This conspiracy theory was adopted as part of Pizzagate, alleging that Hilary Clinton, Bill Gates, and other wealthy figures carried out the ritual. There are no historical records of any "secret groups" harvesting children for adrenochrome. The chemical does not have any known properties that are proven to boost physical or mental health. The fact that the theory is closely tied to antisemitic conspiracies could contribute to harmful disinformation.