Alcohol Without a Drop
Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS) is a rare medical condition where bacteria or fungi in the digestive system convert carbohydrates into ethanol. Patients experience actual intoxication without consuming alcohol. The effects can include slurred speech, dizziness, and elevated blood alcohol levels detectable by breathalyzers or blood tests.
Unusual Triggers
ABS can be caused by yeast or bacterial overgrowths such as Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or Klebsiella pneumoniae. It’s been linked to high-carbohydrate diets, antibiotic use, diabetes, liver conditions, and digestive tract surgeries. In some cases, fermentation occurs not in the gut, but in the bladder.
Diagnosis and Challenges
Diagnosis is typically confirmed through gas chromatography or glucose challenge tests. In a few legal cases, defendants have claimed ABS to contest DUI charges, though the condition remains under-researched and rare.
Managing the Fermentation
Treatment includes antifungal or antibacterial medications, probiotics, and a high-protein, low-carb diet. Some patients respond well to these measures, but symptoms can return without strict management and medical oversight.
Auto-brewery syndrome is a rare condition where people become intoxicated without drinking.
Inside their gut, certain fungi and bacteria ferment carbs into ethanol. The result is real alcohol in the blood, causing slurred speech, dizziness, and impaired movement…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/bvqCZPyEEZ
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) April 15, 2025