Adenochrome

/ˈædənəʊkroʊm/ noun

Definition

A reddish-brown chemical compound produced when adrenaline (epinephrine) oxidizes or breaks down in the body.

Etymology

From Greek 'aden' (gland, referring to the adrenal glands) + 'chroma' (color). This biochemical term emerged in early 20th-century pharmacology when scientists discovered the oxidation products of epinephrine and named them for their characteristic coloring.

Kelly Says

Adenochrome became famous (or infamous) because it's what adrenaline turns into when it sits around too long—it's like your body's own version of rust, and conspiracy theorists wrongly claimed it was a secret drug, when it's actually just biochemical garbage.

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