Why when you drink water when you’re really thirsty you feel better/hydrated instantly but in that moment hydration hasn’t even started?
In: Biology
I’ve also read something (no sources, so take this as you will, maybe someone can corroborate) that talked about the difference between feeling instantly satisfied when drinking, but not when eating
The difference was you can die from drinking too much water too quickly, but not from eating too much food too quickly, so the body has an instant response for fluid intake to stop you over drinking and potentially dying
Anyone else just take a drink of water after reading this?
When you are thirsty, you aren’t dehydrated yet. Its just your bodies way to tell you to drink water BEFORE you get dehydrated. So when you drink water, you brain does ‘Good boy, here’s a treat.’
Nerves in your mouth and gut are able to monitor fluid intake and how salty that water is in real time and “anticipate” how much more or less water you will need once that fluid enters your blood, and your sense of thirst is adjusted.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6483081/
A lot of times, what we feel is simply from fulfilling the actual activity rather than from the outcome of the activity. What we feel is usually a state of mind rather than what is actually the case. When you’re doing something important, hunger and rest is not a concern. However, as soon as you complete it, your mind is ready to pass out or crave food.
Being thirsty means you’re past dehydration. Drinking water (obvi) wets the mouth which most likely was dry af. Quick little reward.
Basically there are several ways for your body to tell you to stop drinking. Some are short term and act within minutes, and some are long term and take awhile to work.
Basically, you feel less thirsty quickly after drinking for two reasons: 1. Your mouth is wet. This tells your brain you are drinking water. And 2. Your stomach expands. Sensors in your stomach tell your brain you have had a good amount of water and to stop drinking for now. That way you don’t drink too much and hurt yourself.
Long term, if you drink enough water your blood becomes less salty, which tells your brain you have had enough water.
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