Can you drink pure ethanol?

We’ve all been there. We just finished up an intense lab session at university or maybe we’re feeling a little bit adventurous and we decide to take a swig of pure ethanol. But wait! Can you actually drink it? The short answer is no, unless you want to end up like Charlie Sheen (just kidding – that’s not even funny).

In this article, we will explain why pure ethanol should never be ingested, the dangers associated with drinking it, and what happens when someone decides to take the risk (hint: it isn’t pretty).

What Is Ethanol And Why Is It Used?

Ethanol is a colorless liquid that is found in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and spirits. It’s also used extensively as an industrial solvent due to its low toxicity.

It is produced by fermentation of sugars through distillation or from petroleum processing (that escalated quickly). There are many other applications for ethanol including fuel for vehicles (biofuel), hand sanitizers and disinfectants.

Fun fact: did you know that during prohibition era in America people made illegal alcohol from mouthwash?

So What Happens When You Drink Pure Ethanol Anyway?

Well first of all let me tell you that drinking pure 100% proof ethanol could kill you quicker than diving headfirst into shark-infested waters (Disclaimer: Please don’t do either; your life matters). Even small amounts can lead to serious health problems including death.

When 96% ethanol comes in contact with your mucous membranes (gross, but true) within your mouth or throat, it draws water out causing severe dehydration. This means that getting any amount of absolute alcohol inside yourself can severely damage critical organs such as kidneys and liver – probably not worth ruining cocktail hour over.

The symptoms associated with ingestion include:

  • Dizziness
  • Blackouts
  • Coma (as in medically-induced)
  • Vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Cramping

In other words, drinking pure ethanol would be like a bad night out without the fun memories (or the dirty regret).

What Options Do You Have If You Want To Drink Ethanol?

You always thought that drinking pure ethanol would make you look hardcore but we suggest going back to the drawing board if that was ever on your bucket list. However, there are still plenty of ways for you to enjoy a good drink and keep things safe.

One alternative way is by consuming high ample amounts in beer, wine or spirits which is usually diluted with water (<95% concentration). In this form it may even have some noted health benefits such as lowering risks of heart diseases and stroke (no guarantees though!).

Alternatively, why don’t you visit one of those speakeasy bars where they proudly proclaim their mixologists are serving up inventive booze concoctions (Disclaimer: you didn’t hear it from us)?

We recommend trying:

  • White Russian
  • Mudslide
  • Mai Tai

Always remember: moderation is key!

The Bottom Line

Drinking 100% ethanol will cause permanent damage to your body and could even kill you – trust us when we say there are far better ways to entertain yourself than experimenting with substances not meant for human consumption.

Drink plenty of water instead and have an impromptu dance party (Disclaimer: not too close to any sharp objects or hazardous materials)!

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