Conclusion

The adrenochrome hypothesis accounts for the

syndrome schizophrenia more accurately than do

any of the competing hypotheses. The two main

competing hypotheses are superfluous since they

are accommodated by the adrenochrome or more

accurately the aminochrome hypothesis. In the

research developed by Dr. H. Osmond

and me this hypothesis has been very successful in

giving direction to our research which began about

thirty years ago. It provides insight into the

experiential world of our patients leading to

several useful perceptual tests, i.e. the HOD test

(Hoffer and Osmond, 1961; Hoffer, Kelm and

Osmond, 1975), and the EWI test (El Meligi and

Osmond, 1970). It helped originate the use of large

doses of Vitamin B-3 for treating schizophrenia

patients and for alleviating the symptoms created

by LSD. It also predicted the therapeutic use of

ascorbic acid, again in large doses. Both these

vitamins are important components in

orthomolecular treatment as applied to

schizophrenics. Finally it helped point to the

catecholamines as significant factors in the

etiology of schizophrenia.

Unfortunately the many leads developed by the

adrenochrome hypothesis have been neglected by

research institutions for a number of reasons. The

critical and hostile attitude of the professional

associations and granting agencies discouraged

scientists from entering this difficult but

challenging field. Fortunately the climate of

opinion is changing. I expect that for the next

decade the aminochrome hypothesis will receive

more careful attention.

http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1981/pdf/1981-v10n02-p098.pdf

https://isom.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/JOM_2007_22_4_05_The_Adrenochrome_Alternative.pdf