Drunk Without a Drink : When the Gut Turns Into a Brewery

General
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Auto-Brewery Syndrome
How would you feel when you haven’t drunk any alcohol but still feel drunk? If you have ever experienced that, then it’s because of your gut microbes converting carbohydrates into ethanol through fermentation. Thus here body makes alcohol itself, converting the gut into a small brewery.

How it happens
Normally small amount of fermentation occurs in the gut, which is a natural process.
In ABS, there is an overgrowth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer’s yeast)
Candida albicans (fungi) converts carbs into alcohol, and then alcohol enters the bloodstream.

Symptoms

  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Mood swing
  • High blood alcohol level
  • Feeling of alcohol intoxication

Have you ever come across a patient with no alcohol history, yet he feels drunk?

MBH/PS

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Fascinating and lesser-known condition—really shows how gut microbiota can impact the body in unexpected ways.

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Interesting read, I learned something new today.

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I’m glad you liked it

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That’s amazing

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Something new and interesting . Also very well summarised!

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I’m glad you liked it

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Interesting. Hearing it for the very first time.

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Yes, came across a 16 year old with such a condition. He was misunderstood to be drunk and was later diagnosed of ABS.

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Glad you find it interesting

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New to me too.. Auto‑Brewery Syndrome is a fascinating example of how Gut Microbiota can influence symptoms in unexpected ways. :brain:

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This something new to me. Nice :slightly_smiling_face:

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I’m glad you find this interesting.

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I’m glad you liked it

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