Adrenochrome conspiracy theories
Adrenochrome is a drug that is the subject of a false and dangerous conspiracy theory spread by followers of QAnon.
The theory is that liberal politicians and Hollywood "elites" are harvesting children's blood to extract adrenaline for psychedelic and life-prolonging benefits.
This theory, while completely untrue, has become so widespread that QAnon's followers now consider themselves members of Parliament.
According to this misinformation, liberal elites are taking adrenaline from the blood of kidnapped children. Conspiracy theories suggest that the drug provides a psychedelic experience and even offers the hope of immortality to those who take it.
While it sounds patently absurd, adrenochrome conspiracy theories have now moved beyond the bloodshot eyes of YouTube investigators and into mainstream culture, such as when Dr. Phil featured a woman on his show who claimed her missing daughter was kidnapped and tortured because of the chemical.
Adrenochrome pigment is a by-product of adrenaline. That's it. Turns out, you don't need to kidnap kids and drain their blood. In fact, there are many trusted chemical suppliers - sorry, we won't link to - that sell it.
In short, QAnon's followers believe that in the deep state there is an agent named Q, who leaves behind a secret message called "Q-drop". Some have suggested that Q was none other than John F. Kennedy Jr., who is still alive and should have given us an October surprise as Trump's running mate. (He didn't.)
"One of the central conspiracy theories circulating in the QAnon movement is that Satan-worshiping pedophile liberals in the Deep country are behind an international child sex trafficking ring," "Said Joseph Pierre, acting director of the mental health community care System at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. "One of the more marginal aspects of the theory is that they get adrenochrome from children and self-administer it as a kind of youth elixir."
In their own words, conspiracy theorist Liz Crokin said in a video, according to Right Wing Watch, "Adrenochrome pigment is a drug favored by elites. It comes from children. The drug is derived from the pituitary glands of afflicted children. It is sold on the black market. This is the drug of the elite. It's their favorite drug."
Other QAnon conspiracy theorists, whom we won't link to here either, use adrenaline to explain why there are so many missing children around the world. They also allege that Hillary Clinton and former aide Huma Abedin were filmed ripping off a child's face, wearing it as a mask and drinking the child's blood for adrenaline. (Yes, really.)
