Sengamine

Sengamine is a fictional substance appearing in the science fiction novel "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir. Within the narrative, it is a highly potent, multi-functional drug developed by the Eridians, an alien species. Sengamine serves several critical purposes for the Eridians, including enhancing their cognitive abilities, boosting their physical resilience, and acting as a crucial component in their life support systems. The drug is synthesized from a specific type of algae that grows in the dark, methane-rich oceans of Erid, the Eridians' home planet. Its effects are described as allowing Eridians to survive extreme conditions, process information at an accelerated rate, and even heal from injuries more rapidly. The protagonist, Ryland Grace, encounters and utilizes sengamine in his mission to save Earth, learning about its properties and applications through his interactions with the Eridian character, Rocky. The development and use of sengamine highlight the advanced biological and chemical engineering capabilities of the Eridian civilization and play a significant role in the plot's resolution.