Drunk Without Drinking? Some People Produce a Bottle of Whiskey a Day in Their Intestines, Doctor Says
Some individuals’ gut bacteria can ferment sugars into alcohol, leading to a condition were they become intoxicated without consuming any alcoholic beverages. Gastroenterologist Stijn Meijnikman revealed in a recent broadcast that, in extreme cases, a person can produce the equivalent of a bottle of whiskey’s worth of alcohol daily due to this internal process.
While most people experience some degree of alcohol production in their gut,it typically goes unnoticed. Though, for a rare subset of individuals, this fermentation can reach levels causing measurable intoxication and potential health complications. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as “auto-brewery syndrome,” highlights the complex interplay between the gut microbiome, diet, and overall health. Researchers are increasingly focused on understanding the factors that contribute to this condition and developing effective treatments, including potential fecal microbiota transplants.
Marcel Levi, a colleague of Meijnikman, explained that restoring a healthy gut bacterial balance-even through methods like fecal transplants used in serious infectious disease cases-is a key area of research. “the simplest way to do that…is to collect feces from a healthy person, make a planning and let it end up through a tube into someone else’s intestine,” Levi stated.
Meijnikman emphasized the potential severity of the condition, noting instances where individuals successfully treated for auto-brewery syndrome subsequently began consuming alcohol despite not having done so previously. He also highlighted broader health concerns related to alcohol consumption,stating,”We know that one glass of alcohol a day is actually one too many.” Meijnikman, a medical specialist in training, personally abstains from alcohol, citing negative effects on his performance and well-being.The broadcast originally aired on WNL On Sunday,November 2,2025.
