Yes, and it's even more bizarre when you realize what we need it for-- critically ill patients who are so acidotic that drugs like epinephrine (adrenaline) don't work. Bicarb reverses that acidosis, it doesn't cure it, but it does make it so your epi and other drugs have a chance to work. The main alternative is sodium acetate, which depresses heart function, causes low blood pressure and reduces respiratory drive.