Ethanol
![USP grade ethanol for laboratory use.](/Images/godic/202501/05/Ethyl_alcohol_usp_grade4602.jpg")
![Ethanol pump station in São Paulo, BrazilA Ford Taurus fueled by ethanol in New York CityUSPS truck running on E85 in Minnesota](/Images/godic/202501/05/Sao_Paulo_ethanol_pump_04_2008_74_zoom4602.jpg")
![Ford Taurus photograph](/Images/godic/202501/05/Ethanol_Car4602.jpg")
![Postal service photograph](/Images/godic/202501/05/USPS-E85_fuel-St_Paul-200701274602.jpg")
Ethanol /ˈɛθənɒl/, also commonly called ethyl alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol is the principal type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts. It is a neurotoxic psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs used by humans. It can cause alcohol intoxication when consumed in sufficient quantity.