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Man Brews Alcohol In His Gut for a Decade
2 Jun
Summary
- Auto-brewery syndrome causes the body to produce alcohol from carbohydrates.
- Symptoms mimic drunkenness, including confusion and impaired coordination.
- Fewer than 100 cases of this rare condition have been documented globally.
Eric Poulin, a Canadian man, endured nearly ten years of unexplained symptoms resembling intoxication. The root cause was identified as auto-brewery syndrome, a rare condition where the digestive tract ferments carbohydrates into alcohol. This condition leads to symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, and impaired coordination, leaving patients appearing drunk without any alcohol consumption.
Poulin reported severe impacts on his daily life, including an inability to work since 2023 and significant strain on his relationships. The rarity of auto-brewery syndrome, with fewer than 100 documented cases, presents challenges in understanding and treating it. Experts explain that specific microbes in the gut can overgrow and ferment food into ethanol.
Diagnosis brought Poulin relief, but treatment, focused on managing microbial overgrowth through diet and medication, is an ongoing journey. His wife, Sarah Poulin, has developed an app called ABStrack to support others facing similar struggles, aiming to validate their experiences and connect them with resources.
