Detoxers: Drink Water, But Be CAREFUL

[kk1303]

I see this so much on this site and I always mean to make a post about it but end up getting side tracked. It is SO important to drink water while you're detoxing (heck, it's important to drink it EVERYDAY), but do NOT drink too much. It IS possible to overdose on water. Not kidding. Water intoxication/poison is real and is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits. So please be careful...I'm not trying to scare anyone but just trying to inform because I always see people suggesting to "drink lots of water." Stay hydrated, but don't overdo it.

[ricart70]

Yeah I can't believe I had never heard of this before seeing that story.I think
I can rule this out as a possible cause of death for me now.I probably fall into the athletic category so I am now wondering what my electrolyte levels actually are.I love salt though,probably because I need it

[laurel453]

right, 6 gallons are about 22 litres ? so... yeah, don't think anybody is going to drink that much !!!! we can die from overdoing any thing

[sandstone27]

And yes, people going through withdrawal are more than likely dehydrated to begin with;  I don't think there is alot of danger of overhydration when detoxing...  

[bama88]

how many of us would drink that much water? not making fun of it...but it must take an extremely lot of water..lol...

fun fact tho

[sandstone27]

I saw the same story - The lady who "won" was the same one who died - how's that for sad irony.  College kids die in this type of hazing as well - they are forced to drink  massive quantities of water in relatively short periods of time.  It doesn't happen often though, thank goodness.

[detox1978]

wow guys i guess we do learn something new everyday. thanks for the info.

[ricart70]

I saw this story on a radio contest where they were challenged to see who could drink the most water.One lady died because they didn't know about the risk.  I would think that a sports drink or pedialyte would eliminate the risk for this because they are an electolyte replacement.
I think I dehydrated in withdrawal though.Alot of people in w/d don't even want to drink anything because they feel so bad.

[sandstone27]

It IS possible to overhydrate - drinking too much water can reduce sodium levels in the blood, which is dangerous.  This happens more with athletes who drink excessive amounts of water or sports drinks to avoid dehydration.  In an othewise healthy adult, with a normal functioning pituitary gland, kidneys, liver and heart, it would take more than 6 gallons of water a day on a regular basis to overhydrate to dangerous levels.   (Merck manual)