Adrenochromes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A compound formed through the oxidation of adrenaline, believed to have psychoactive properties in some contexts
2. A chemical variant derived from adrenaline that is often discussed in speculative or conspiracy theories about its effects
3. A substance produced when adrenaline is chemically altered, associated with various theories in pharmacology and psychology

Etymology: "Adrenochromes" is the plural of "adrenochrome", a compound built from two combining forms. The first, "adreno-", comes from "adrenal", the adjective for the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys and secrete adrenaline; the "adrenal" element itself is a modern scientific coinage built from Latin "ad-" (near) and "renes" (kidneys). The second, "-chrome", comes from Greek "khrōma", meaning colour, a suffix that chemists attach to compounds known for their colour. That colour is the point of the name. Adrenochrome is the product of adrenaline oxidising, and the oxidised compound is a coloured substance, so chemists gave it a name meaning, in effect, the "adrenal colour." The "-chrome" ending appears in many other chemical names for the same reason, such as chromophore-related terms and older dye compounds.