Short answer: No — not unless you want to make a bad situation worse. Movies love showing desperate survivors sipping their own pee like it’s primal Gatorade. In reality, drinking urine accelerates dehydration, causes nausea, and makes your kidneys file a formal complaint.
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Here’s what actually happens, and why survival experts universally say: don’t do it.
Why Drinking Urine Doesn’t Help You Survive
Urine is wastewater your body has already filtered once. It contains:
- Urea
- Salts
- Toxins
- Ammonia
- Metabolic byproducts
- Whatever your kidneys were trying to get rid of
When you’re already dehydrated — which is when most people consider drinking urine — your body concentrates it even more. That means:
- Salt levels spike
- Urea concentration increases
- Ammonia content rises
- Your kidneys need more water to process it again
You’re literally drinking the stuff your body said, “Absolutely not — get this out of me.”
What Happens If You Drink It Anyway?
You Become More Dehydrated
High salt plus low water forces your kidneys to burn even more fluid just to filter it again.
You Get Nauseous
Warm, salty, ammonia-flavored liquid doesn’t sit well. Shocking, I know.
You Risk Vomiting
Now you’re losing even more fluid than before.
Kidney Strain Increases
Your kidneys are already stressed. Adding concentrated waste can push them toward failure in extreme situations.
Bacteria Becomes a Problem
Fresh urine is technically sterile for a short time. After that? Welcome to Bacterial Disneyland.
“But What About Bear Grylls?”
Bear drinks pee because:
- He’s on camera
- It gets ratings
- He goes back to a hotel afterward
Actual survival instructors — military SERE trainers, wilderness medics, and bushcraft experts — all agree:
Drinking urine is a desperation move, not a survival strategy.
Are There Any Situations Where It’s Acceptable?
The only “maybe” is using it as a cooling aid, not a beverage.
In extreme heat, you could:
- Wet clothing to promote evaporative cooling
- Dampen a cloth and place it on exposed skin
- Lightly soak a head wrap
Drinking it? Still a hard no.
Even historical survival myths that involved urine didn’t rely on drinking it — they distilled it.
If You Have No Water, Do This Instead
Look for Dew
Use a bandana or shirt and wring it out.
Dig a Solar Still
Slow, frustrating, but far better than drinking urine.
Follow Terrain Downhill
Water collects in valleys, washes, and natural depressions.
Use a Transpiration Bag
Tie a clear plastic bag over leafy branches to collect moisture.
Ration Effort, Not Water
Conserve sweat, not sips.
Stay Shaded During Peak Heat
Burning calories equals burning water.
Anything is better than drinking pee.
Final Takeaway
Drinking urine isn’t resourceful — it’s counterproductive. It speeds dehydration, stresses your kidneys, and lowers your odds of staying functional long enough to find real water or rescue.
If your body already rejected it, take the hint.