The hand in warm water trick

Bruce · 2nd March 2003, 12:20 PM

I assume that most people are aware of the practical joke in which you put a sleeping person's hand in warm water. In case you don't, this causes the person to urinate in his sleep.

I have friends who have played this joke and it appears to work. How? What connection is there between a warm, wet hand that triggers the brain into thinking that it's ok to urinate? Is this just one of those fastinating mysteries of life?

Mahatma Kane Jeeves · 2nd March 2003, 12:31 PM

This is what the Straight Dope has to say (probably the only place that will take on the subject!):

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_027.html

2nd March 2003, 05:18 PM

Unless the hand is out of the covers and immediately accessable, seems to me the person would awaken. Wouldn't you?

jasonmccoy · 2nd March 2003, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce
I assume that most people are aware of the practical joke in which you put a sleeping person's hand in warm water. In case you don't, this causes the person to urinate in his sleep.

I have friends who have played this joke and it appears to work. How? What connection is there between a warm, wet hand that triggers the brain into thinking that it's ok to urinate? Is this just one of those fastinating mysteries of life?

This is likely happening while the sleeper is in "active sleep or REM sleep." During which, the brain is still "open for business" so to speak. For example, people often respond verbally to questioning, exhibit emotional facial expressions, and get erections during this most paradoxical of stages. However, I would bet that if you were to try this on a sleeper in either stage 3 or 4 (known as delta wave or quite sleep) the result would be different. It is in these two stages that neuroscientists believe humans loose consciouness completely (even core consciousness, which consists of low-level attention, background emotion, and a brief memory, Damasio, The Feeling of What Happens).

However, I could be wrong! As most of us already know, even those in coma can get "goose flesh." Likewise, the act of urination can be elicited consciously and nonconsciously. As with most reflexive processes, the brain is not a necessary part of the response.

Did any of this make sense?

Soapy Sam · 2nd March 2003, 06:40 PM

I remember hearing this story many times at Scout camps etc as a kid. It was one of those " I knew someone who did this" things.
I have still never actually seen it done. Anyone out there who has?

As far as noises go, I can corroborate that. Last Summer, the neighbours of She Who Must Be Obeyed installed a "water feature" in their front garden.: a small electric pump recirculating water over some pebbles.
I scarcely noticed it, but I did notice that every time I arrived, my first, less than romantic impulse, was to sprint to the loo. It was months before (Sorry) the penny dropped. They turned it off for Winter and the problem vanished. I'm dreading the approach of Spring. And no helpful advice, please. My prostate is just fine. I may try earplugs though.

3rd March 2003, 08:14 PM

(1) this is a autonomous biological reaction... ie: somehow it's tied to being in the womb and the non-need for conscious control of preventative function

or perhaps

(2) if one is lucid, when dreaming, they will recognize the situation and actually be able to deal with it.

perhaps an experiment is in order? :->

Scott

4th March 2003, 07:18 AM

All I can add is that I badly burnt a fingertip once in sugar syrup (fingertip burns seem to be the most painful!) and it hurt so badly I went to sleep with my hand in a bowl of water. No, I didn't wee in my sleep.

Denise · 4th March 2003, 07:48 AM

I confess that I have tried the trick at slumber parties. I've never seen it work. I've only tried it about 3 times, but that's my experience.

Larspeart · 4th March 2003, 11:49 AM

It does indeed work, though I haven't the slightest idea why. I think if someone was to be in stage 1 or 2 sleep, they would be concious enough to wake up, smack the person, and then go to the bathroom.

I did it to a buddy when I was in middle school. Oh what fun. Oh, and no, he didn't wake up for a good ten minutes afterwards, so you are sleeping pretty deeply I would gander.

/shrug

QuarkChild · 4th March 2003, 11:03 PM

Quote:

As far as noises go, I can corroborate that. Last Summer, the neighbours of She Who Must Be Obeyed installed a "water feature" in their front garden.: a small electric pump recirculating water over some pebbles.

I'm OK with fountains, but I can't step into a shower without using the toilet first. The few times in my life that I've tried, thinking "I don't really have to urinate, surely I'll be OK if I skip that ritual this time," I've had to immediately step out again...

I've wondered on occasion whether it was just me, or does everyone use the toilet before showering?

BillyJoe · 6th March 2003, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuarkChild
.....I can't step into a shower without using the toilet first. The few times in my life that I've tried, thinking "I don't really have to urinate, surely I'll be OK if I skip that ritual this time," I've had to immediately step out again.....

YOU DON'T URINATE IN THE SHOWER????

Truely one of life's little pleasures!

BillyJoe · 6th March 2003, 02:32 AM

BTW, I wonder if this is true only for males.

If it is, I think I can think of a reason why having something warm in the hand could be associated with the act of urination.

Another thought: Does it matter which hand.....

QuarkChild · 6th March 2003, 06:02 PM

Quote:

YOU DON'T URINATE IN THE SHOWER????

Remind me never to use your shower.

6th March 2003, 08:31 PM

I dunno bout anyone else, but I almost always have to pee when I get home. As soon as I step through the door, I feel the urge to go, even if I was fine before I walked in. Strange, that.

The Whether Man · 7th March 2003, 12:03 AM

Maybe it's your subconcious telling you to mark out you territory.

BillyJoe · 7th March 2003, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuarkChild
Remind me never to use your shower.

YOU DON'T LIKE TO BE UNRINATED ON???

QuarkChild where have you been?

Shane Costello · 7th March 2003, 05:35 AM

This works best when the victim is in a drunken stupor, presumably due to a full bladder. One (sober) friend of mine tried it out on another (smashed) friend at a party, and thoughtfully took a picture of the results.

luvtinayothers · 7th March 2003, 03:21 PM

Whenever I'm at a bookstore browsing through books I gotta pee.
It's really weird. Only bookstores.

2nd March 2003, 12:20 PM	#1
Bruce Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Columbia, Missouri Posts: 7,522	The hand in warm water trick I assume that most people are aware of the practical joke in which you put a sleeping person's hand in warm water. In case you don't, this causes the person to urinate in his sleep. I have friends who have played this joke and it appears to work. How? What connection is there between a warm, wet hand that triggers the brain into thinking that it's ok to urinate? Is this just one of those fastinating mysteries of life?
	__________________ Indeed, anything past the ring finger is prohibited. -bpesta

2nd March 2003, 12:31 PM	#2
Mahatma Kane Jeeves Muse Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 829	This is what the Straight Dope has to say (probably the only place that will take on the subject!): http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_027.html
Mahatma Kane Jeeves Muse Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 829

2nd March 2003, 05:18 PM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	Unless the hand is out of the covers and immediately accessable, seems to me the person would awaken. Wouldn't you?
Guest Posts: n/a

2nd March 2003, 05:21 PM	#4
jasonmccoy Scholar Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 81	Re: The hand in warm water trick Quote: Originally posted by Bruce I assume that most people are aware of the practical joke in which you put a sleeping person's hand in warm water. In case you don't, this causes the person to urinate in his sleep. I have friends who have played this joke and it appears to work. How? What connection is there between a warm, wet hand that triggers the brain into thinking that it's ok to urinate? Is this just one of those fastinating mysteries of life? This is likely happening while the sleeper is in "active sleep or REM sleep." During which, the brain is still "open for business" so to speak. For example, people often respond verbally to questioning, exhibit emotional facial expressions, and get erections during this most paradoxical of stages. However, I would bet that if you were to try this on a sleeper in either stage 3 or 4 (known as delta wave or quite sleep) the result would be different. It is in these two stages that neuroscientists believe humans loose consciouness completely (even core consciousness, which consists of low-level attention, background emotion, and a brief memory, Damasio, The Feeling of What Happens). However, I could be wrong! As most of us already know, even those in coma can get "goose flesh." Likewise, the act of urination can be elicited consciously and nonconsciously. As with most reflexive processes, the brain is not a necessary part of the response. Did any of this make sense?
jasonmccoy Scholar Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 81	__________________ You'll bite off more than you can chew, if you get too cute and witty...you'd better close your face and stay out of my way if you don't want to go to Fist City. - bigfig, 7/27

2nd March 2003, 06:40 PM	#5
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	I remember hearing this story many times at Scout camps etc as a kid. It was one of those " I knew someone who did this" things. I have still never actually seen it done. Anyone out there who has? As far as noises go, I can corroborate that. Last Summer, the neighbours of She Who Must Be Obeyed installed a "water feature" in their front garden.: a small electric pump recirculating water over some pebbles. I scarcely noticed it, but I did notice that every time I arrived, my first, less than romantic impulse, was to sprint to the loo. It was months before (Sorry) the penny dropped. They turned it off for Winter and the problem vanished. I'm dreading the approach of Spring. And no helpful advice, please. My prostate is just fine. I may try earplugs though.
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

3rd March 2003, 08:14 PM	#6
ScottDYelich Guest Posts: n/a	two thoughts... (1) this is a autonomous biological reaction... ie: somehow it's tied to being in the womb and the non-need for conscious control of preventative function or perhaps (2) if one is lucid, when dreaming, they will recognize the situation and actually be able to deal with it. perhaps an experiment is in order? :-> Scott
ScottDYelich Guest Posts: n/a

4th March 2003, 07:18 AM	#7
CelandineWood Guest Posts: n/a	All I can add is that I badly burnt a fingertip once in sugar syrup (fingertip burns seem to be the most painful!) and it hurt so badly I went to sleep with my hand in a bowl of water. No, I didn't wee in my sleep.
CelandineWood Guest Posts: n/a

4th March 2003, 07:48 AM	#8
Denise Succubus Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,869	I confess that I have tried the trick at slumber parties. I've never seen it work. I've only tried it about 3 times, but that's my experience.
Denise Succubus Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,869	__________________ Sundog- Do the words Biosphere 2 convey anything to anyone?

4th March 2003, 11:49 AM	#9
Larspeart Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 581	It does indeed work, though I haven't the slightest idea why. I think if someone was to be in stage 1 or 2 sleep, they would be concious enough to wake up, smack the person, and then go to the bathroom. I did it to a buddy when I was in middle school. Oh what fun. Oh, and no, he didn't wake up for a good ten minutes afterwards, so you are sleeping pretty deeply I would gander. /shrug
Larspeart Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 581

4th March 2003, 11:03 PM	#10
QuarkChild Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 354	sort of on-topic Quote: As far as noises go, I can corroborate that. Last Summer, the neighbours of She Who Must Be Obeyed installed a "water feature" in their front garden.: a small electric pump recirculating water over some pebbles. I'm OK with fountains, but I can't step into a shower without using the toilet first. The few times in my life that I've tried, thinking "I don't really have to urinate, surely I'll be OK if I skip that ritual this time," I've had to immediately step out again... I've wondered on occasion whether it was just me, or does everyone use the toilet before showering?

6th March 2003, 02:25 AM	#11
BillyJoe Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MOOROOLBARK Posts: 12,539	Re: sort of on-topic Quote: Originally posted by QuarkChild .....I can't step into a shower without using the toilet first. The few times in my life that I've tried, thinking "I don't really have to urinate, surely I'll be OK if I skip that ritual this time," I've had to immediately step out again..... YOU DON'T URINATE IN THE SHOWER???? Truely one of life's little pleasures!
	__________________ A secular society is one in which no one loses any liberty as a consequence of someone else's religious beliefs. NB Allowing yourself to get led around the nose by a person like Craig is a losing strategy. SH Morality is a social coating around a Darwinian core. JC My joke about freewill: There is no basis for it.

6th March 2003, 02:32 AM	#12
BillyJoe Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MOOROOLBARK Posts: 12,539	BTW, I wonder if this is true only for males. If it is, I think I can think of a reason why having something warm in the hand could be associated with the act of urination. Another thought: Does it matter which hand.....
	__________________ A secular society is one in which no one loses any liberty as a consequence of someone else's religious beliefs. NB Allowing yourself to get led around the nose by a person like Craig is a losing strategy. SH Morality is a social coating around a Darwinian core. JC My joke about freewill: There is no basis for it.

6th March 2003, 06:02 PM	#13
QuarkChild Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 354	Quote: YOU DON'T URINATE IN THE SHOWER???? Remind me never to use your shower.

6th March 2003, 08:31 PM	#14
SpaceLord Guest Posts: n/a	I dunno bout anyone else, but I almost always have to pee when I get home. As soon as I step through the door, I feel the urge to go, even if I was fine before I walked in. Strange, that.
SpaceLord Guest Posts: n/a

7th March 2003, 12:03 AM	#15
The Whether Man Thinker Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 156	Maybe it's your subconcious telling you to mark out you territory.
The Whether Man Thinker Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 156

7th March 2003, 04:21 AM	#16
BillyJoe Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MOOROOLBARK Posts: 12,539	Quote: Originally posted by QuarkChild Remind me never to use your shower. YOU DON'T LIKE TO BE UNRINATED ON??? QuarkChild where have you been?
	__________________ A secular society is one in which no one loses any liberty as a consequence of someone else's religious beliefs. NB Allowing yourself to get led around the nose by a person like Craig is a losing strategy. SH Morality is a social coating around a Darwinian core. JC My joke about freewill: There is no basis for it.

7th March 2003, 05:35 AM	#17
Shane Costello Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,235	This works best when the victim is in a drunken stupor, presumably due to a full bladder. One (sober) friend of mine tried it out on another (smashed) friend at a party, and thoughtfully took a picture of the results.

7th March 2003, 03:21 PM	#18
luvtinayothers Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: asas Posts: 339	Whenever I'm at a bookstore browsing through books I gotta pee. It's really weird. Only bookstores.
	__________________ In her quest to become one of the popular kids, Jennifer invites her trendy classmates to her thirteenth birthday party. When they become bored and begin grumbling at her "lame" party (which includes a traditional puppet show by her father), Jennifer takes drastic action. With Mallory's guidance, she becomes a "valley girl", who then deserts her own party.