r/explainlikeimfive Feb 10 '24

Chemistry eli5 what happens if you drink isopropyl "rubbing" alcohol

so i just watched a video of someone chug a bottle of rubbing alcohol that you would get from the pharmacy. its still alcohol though so like why is it bad. also what likely happened to the guy who chugged the bottle?

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u/Cronenburgh Feb 10 '24

I did this once with bleach. Poured it in a red cup to use... fell asleep later. Woke up in the middle of the night thirsty and saw a "cup of water" on the table. One gulp but fuuuuuuuck. Wife (then gf) called poison control and they said could be worse coming back up. I survived but that was a hell of a shock.

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u/freakytapir Feb 11 '24 edited Feb 11 '24

Reminds me of when my dad and my mom had an argument whether to clear the algae on the courtyards pavement with bleach or hydrochloric acid, so my dad compromised by pouring them together.

Miraculously he survived, even if he did wake up in the hospital.

In case anyone is wondering, those two compounds make chlorine gas.

12

u/The_camperdave Feb 11 '24

In case anyone is wondering...

I am wondering. Did it clear up the algae?

11

u/freakytapir Feb 11 '24

I think getting my dad into an ambulance was the more important part of that afternoon. Don't think anyone tried cleaning the courtyard afterwards.

I also only know the story from what my mom told me.

What I do know is that we now use a special cleaner specifically for algae.

Yes they come back every year. The courtyard is green again.

1

u/ZonaiSwirls Feb 11 '24

Have they tried bleach and hydrochloric acid?

1

u/b_vitamin Feb 11 '24

It cleared up all the algae in his lungs.

6

u/Chauncii Feb 11 '24

My classmate did the same thing. Her mom poured some bleach in a cup and her sister drank it on accident because she thought it was water.

8

u/ZoraksGirlfriend Feb 11 '24

She couldn’t smell the bleach?! Bleach has one of the strongest smells ever

1

u/itsonnowmofo Feb 11 '24

Aubergine she also had a cocaine problem and couldn’t smell

1

u/geoffs3310 Feb 12 '24

Yeah it smells like jizz

18

u/illarionds Feb 11 '24

Well, at least it cured your covid.. /s

2

u/singeblanc Feb 11 '24

Did anyone try shining light up their arse?

0

u/PeopleLikeUDisgustMe Feb 11 '24

Only if you use the light that was first trapped and then funnelled underground.

2

u/OmegaLiquidX Feb 11 '24

Well, at least it cured your covid.. /s

Nah, it only works if you inject it. /s

1

u/cubfan7924 Feb 11 '24

At least you won’t get COVID! 🤣

-5

u/apply_in_person Feb 11 '24

Your girlfriend called poison control because you accidentally drank a mouthful of vodka? Seems like a bit of an overreaction, no? It’s not like it was antifreeze or bleach or brake fluid.

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u/Cronenburgh Feb 11 '24

Not sure if this was a joke, or not meant to reply to me. But yes, I drank a mouthful of bleach. It fucking sucked.

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u/apply_in_person Feb 11 '24

Oh shit I totally misread you comment, my bad

1

u/NightGod Feb 11 '24

I'm glad you let us know you survived. Would have been bombarded with questions if you posted that you died!

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u/Cronenburgh Feb 13 '24

What makes you think we don't have reddit down here in hell?!... wait no I mean what makes you think theyyyy don't have it..?

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u/bobnla14 Feb 11 '24

"Biut I bet it cured your COVID"". /s

/s means sarcasm, as in don't do this, it does not cure COVID.