Can being a little thirsty affect brain memory?

[pippo]

People,

 

I know dehydration, at different severity levels, affects the body (heart rate, sweating decrease, cramps/spasms, etc), but heard a "theory" that even a slight thirst, one which the body's biochemistry may not even make you aware of, can rob the brain of water content, decreasing the memory ability.

 

Does that make sense? (oops, while writing this I was not drinking , better drink water now.....)

 

Thanks, People.

I should add, if the ebove is true, why does our body then, not warn the brain to drink at the critical moisture loss "level"?

[Phi for All]

The brain requires the correct balance of water to minerals, and it will maintain this ratio (robbing water from other parts of the body) for quite a while even if the rest of the body is dehydrated. You would have plenty of symptoms to warn you that you're dehydrated long before brain dehydration could occur. You'd get dry mouth and eye sockets well before you'd get seizures and brain damage.

 

On the other hand, you do feel lethargic when dehydrated. How much of that is due to the brain telling the body to stop exerting itself to conserve water is up for debate, I guess. At what point can it be said to be affecting your brain to remain stationary as opposed to going out to search for some water?

[John Cuthber]

 

I should add, if the bove is true, why does our body then, not warn the brain to drink at the critical moisture loss "level"?

We have such a warning system.

It's called getting thirsty.

[pippo]

The brain requires the correct balance of water to minerals, and it will maintain this ratio (robbing water from other parts of the body) for quite a while even if the rest of the body is dehydrated. You would have plenty of symptoms to warn you that you're dehydrated long before brain dehydration could occur. You'd get dry mouth and eye sockets well before you'd get seizures and brain damage.

 

On the other hand, you do feel lethargic when dehydrated. How much of that is due to the brain telling the body to stop exerting itself to conserve water is up for debate, I guess. At what point can it be said to be affecting your brain to remain stationary as opposed to going out to search for some water?

Thanks, Phil. Good to know./learn. So, sound like the brain would be the LAST organ to be affected making it the "top dog" organ, right? Whew- thats good news to me. I heard of people saying if youre a little thirsty, watch out- youre gonna get alzheimers quicker than otherwise. Better drink 8 quarts of H2O per day!! Stop drinking coffee!

 

Man, Im so glad you guys are here to clarify.

 

 

We have such a warning system.

It's called getting thirsty.

 

 

Big thanks, John. My hunch was correct.

Edited January 22, 2013 by pippo

[iNow]

I think another potential impact on memory comes from the way thirst will distract us. If we are really thirsty, that will pervade our thoughts. We will struggle to think of other things, and likewise will struggle with memory tasks. Any time there is discomfort, the body generally seeks to eliminate it, and this will be prioritized over other tasks (like solving a riddle or remembering pi to the 43th decimal place).