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Auto-Brewery Syndrome to Walking Corpse Syndrome: 5 bizarre human syndromes that sound unbelievable but are real

etimes.in | Last updated on - May 12, 2026, 12:42 IST
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5 bizarre human syndromes that sound unbelievable but are real

Nature is the biggest magician of them all. It has existed before even humans did and everything that we have now is in one or more ways connected to it, even health conditions. While science has attempted to find an explanation for everything in books or labs, certain things are more magical than comprehensible. For instance, numerous humans on Earth are born with unique syndromes that were never seen before, but now exist with proper names and explanations. Here are 5 of the bizarre human syndromes that sound unbelievable but are real:

(The visuals used are symbolic and conceptual in nature)

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Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS)

Auto-Brewery Syndrome, also known as gut fermentation syndrome (GFS) is a rare condition that causes alcohol intoxication in people who haven't even consumed any alcohol. This happens because the microbes in the intestines ferment the sugars present in the body to produce ethanol, creating a mini brewery in your gut. Alcohol-producing bacteria and fungi such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer’s yeast) are normally present in our gut and produce small amounts of ethanol in everyone. However, in the syndrome the microbes produce ethanol at a rate that exceeds your body's capacity to clear it. Symptoms of the syndrome include drunkenness, brain fog, drowsiness, memory issues, blurred vision and more, as per the Cleveland Clinic.

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Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS)

Named after Lewis Carroll's classic story, this neurological disorder alters your perception of the world around you. As per the Cleveland Clinic, two-thirds of the cases of AIWS happen in children under the age of 18. In the syndrome, patients may view things as smaller or larger than they actually are. Moreover, this change of perception isn't just limited to objects, it could also be for your own body or both.

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Uncombable hair syndrome (UHS)

Uncombable hair syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes a child's hair to grow out in different directions. It is rough, frizzy and dry making combing or brushing it, a task. The symptoms usually begin presenting themselves by the age of 3 or appear by the age of 12, according to Cleveland Clinic. The condition is limited to a child's scalp and resolves over time.

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Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS)

There have been many cases where after a surgery, a patient has woken up speaking in an accent. While most think of it as magic, it is actually a brain-related condition that affects a person's ability to make sounds correctly. The condition was first described by Pierre Marie, a French neurologist in 1907 and is mostly caused by damage to some areas of the brain that control the muscles you use to speak. In this case, you may not be able to pronounce the 'r' at the end of the word 'car' and it might sound more like 'ah'.

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Walking Corpse Syndrome (WCS)

Also known as Cotard's Syndrome, this is a neuropsychiatric disorder where a person believes that they are dead. Individuals suffering from the syndrome may perceive the loss of internal organs or question their existence. It can transcend into anxiety, depression, suicidal intentions and other delusional beliefs. First described by Dr. Jules Cotard in 1882, it is observed in patients with mood disorders, psychotic disorders, central nervous system infections and traumatic brain injuries.

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Copyright © May 27, 2026, 03.47PM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service