Auto-Brewery Syndrome: When Your Gut Produces Alcohol

Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), sometimes called gut fermentation syndrome, is one of the most misunderstood conditions in digestive health. Patients can experience real symptoms of alcohol intoxication—even when they haven't consumed alcohol—often leading to years of misdiagnosis, stigma, and confusion.

In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research published in Nature Microbiology examining how specific gut microbes may produce ethanol inside the body and contribute to auto-brewery syndrome.

Host Jacqueline Gaulin, founder of Gastro Girl, is joined by researcher and co-author Barbara Cordell to break down:

• What auto-brewery syndrome is and how it affects patients
• Why this condition has historically been difficult to diagnose
• What new microbiome research reveals about microbial ethanol production
• How this science may help validate patient experiences
• What clinicians and patients should know moving forward

This evidence-based, patient-focused conversation sheds light on a condition that has long been misunderstood—and offers hope for clearer recognition, research, and support.