Do you really know? Why does the cold make us need to pee?
Nov 16, 2025
Ever wondered why the cold makes you need to pee? The podcast dives into Alfred Adler's 1918 experiment with cold water and the surprising findings about bladder reaction. It explains how cold weather tightens bladder muscles, increasing urination. Discover the role of cold-sensitive receptors and other factors like reduced sweating in triggering this urge. Plus, get insights on incontinence risks and when to seek medical advice. It's a fascinating exploration of a common, yet puzzling, experience!
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Adler's Cold-Bladder Experiment
- Alfred Adler tested cold bladder responses by injecting cold water into a bladder in 1918.
- He noticed cold causes blood to rush to muscles and muscles tighten, linking cold to bladder reactions.
Cold Triggers Bladder Muscle Contraction
- Cold stimulates receptors in the bladder and urethra, causing muscle contraction and raised bladder pressure.
- That contraction produces the sudden urge to urinate rather than kidney contraction alone.
Physiology Raises Urine Production In Cold
- Cold reduces sweating so the body excretes more water via urine.
- Vasoconstriction redirects blood to core organs and increases kidney filtration, raising urine production.