Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Rare Condition Causes 'Drunk' Symptoms Without Alcohol
Some people have a rare condition called Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS) where their body makes alcohol without them drinking any.
This happens because there's too much yeast in their gut that turns food into alcohol.
The study found that these people have special bacteria in their gut that make more alcohol.
Doctors can treat this condition with medicines or by changing the gut bacteria.
This condition is very rare, but the study helps us understand it better and how to help people who have it.
Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS) is a rare condition where the body produces alcohol due to gut yeast overgrowth.
Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, and lack of coordination.
The study compared gut microbes of ABS patients with those of unaffected household partners.
Key gut microbes identified include Proteobacteria, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Treatment options include antibiotic treatment and faecal microbiota transplantation.
- Who
- Individuals with Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS)
- What
- A rare medical condition causing intoxication symptoms without alcohol consumption
- When
- The study was published in Nature Microbiology
- Where
- The study was led by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California San Diego
- Why
- Due to an overgrowth of yeast in the gut fermenting carbohydrates into ethanol
- Condition Name
- Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS)
- Study Journal
- Nature Microbiology
- Lead Researchers
- Elizabeth Hohmann, Bernd Schnabl
- Study Participants
- 22 ABS patients, 21 unaffected household partners
- Key Gut Microbes
- Proteobacteria, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Diagnostic Method
- Testing for high blood alcohol levels without consumption
- Treatment Method
- Antibiotic treatment, faecal microbiota transplantation