Is sodium bicarbonate the same as cooking soda or baking soda?

Sodium bicarbonate is also know as baking soda. It has various other names such as bread soda, cooking soda, and bicarbonate of soda. It is used as a leavening agent in cooking/baking, primarily and cakes and some breads. Basically it reacts with an acidic ingredient in a recipe and becomes water and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide gas creates little bubbles in the dough, causing it to rise.

Baking soda can also be used to make an effective cleaning solution when mixed with water. You can even brush your teeth with it.