Is It Safe to Drink Urine? The Honest Truth You Need to Know

I recently came across a trend online where people were asked to drink urine because according to the initiator of the trend, it heals the body from all manner of ailments. Strangely, I found a whole lot of people doing the challenge/trend.

They call it, “urine therapy”.

Because of what I saw online, I’ve decided to talk about it here… Let’s get the facts right.

Is it safe to drink urine?

The short answer: Mostly NO — it is not safe and definitely not healthy.

But let’s break it down step by step.

What Is Urine, Really?

Your body makes urine to remove waste. Every day, your kidneys filter your blood. They take out extra water, salts, and toxins. Then, they send them out as pee.

So, urine contains:

Urea (waste from breaking down protein)
Extra salt (sodium, potassium)
Toxins your body wants to get rid of
Sometimes small amounts of bacteria or medicines

In simple words: Urine is liquid trash.
Why would you drink trash?

What Happens If You Drink Your Own Urine Every Day?

If you drink all your urine and nothing else, your body cannot get rid of waste properly.
This is what happens:

Toxins build up in your blood
Your feet and face swell from too much fluid
Blood pressure shoots up
Potassium becomes dangerously high → this can stop your heart
You feel weak, confused, vomit, and may fall into a coma
In the end, you can die

Doctors see this in people whose kidneys fail. Drinking your urine is like forcing kidney failure on yourself.

Never drink all your urine every day.

What If You Drink Just a Small Amount Sometimes?

If your kidneys are healthy, a small sip once in a while probably won’t kill you.
Your body will just filter it again and make more urine.
But here’s the truth:
→ There is zero health benefit
→ You’re only adding extra work for your kidneys
→ It tastes and smells bad for a reason — your body is telling you “don’t drink this!”

Urine Therapy: Does It Actually Cure Anything?

Some people claim drinking urine cures acne, cancer, diabetes, or makes you live longer.
This is called urotherapy or shivambu.

But here’s the science:
There is NO strong scientific proof that urine therapy works.
Big health organizations like WHO, CDC, and Mayo Clinic say it’s useless and risky.

A 2019 review in the Journal of Clinical Urology found no evidence that drinking urine helps any disease.

So, don’t believe TikTok or Instagram “healers”.

Useful link: Mayo Clinic – Urine Therapy: No evidence

Can You Drink Someone Else’s Urine?

This sometimes happens in intimate situations.

If the person is healthy and has no infections:

Your kidneys can usually handle the extra waste
It won’t kill you right away

But risks still exist:

Bacteria in urine (especially in women) can cause stomach upset
If there are traces of STDs (like gonorrhea or chlamydia), you can catch them through the mouth
Hepatitis or HIV risk is very low unless blood is mixed in

Bottom line: Drinking of urine is Not recommended — ever!

The Only Time Drinking Urine Might Help: Survival

Imagine you’re lost in the desert with no water for days.

In the first 24–48 hours, your urine is still fairly dilute. Drinking a small amount can give you back some water and buy time.

But after 2–3 days without water:

Your urine becomes dark, thick, and full of toxins
Drinking it now does more harm than good
It will speed up dehydration and poison you

Even survival experts (like the U.S. Army Field Manual) say:
“Drink urine only as an absolute last resort — and only when it is still clear.”

Useful link: Bear Grylls got this wrong — here’s the real survival advice

In real survival, (let’s say you’re in a desert). look for water first — urine is a terrible backup plan

Quick Summary Table

Situation	Is It Safe?	Notes
Drinking all your urine daily	NO – Deadly	Causes kidney failure-like symptoms
Small sip once in a while	Not dangerous	But no benefit and it’s gross
Someone else’s urine	Risky	Possible infections or STDs
Urine therapy for health	NO	Zero scientific proof
Survival (first 1-2 days only)	Only if desperate	Only if urine is still light yellow

Final Answer

No, it is not safe or healthy to drink urine.
There is no medical benefit. Only risks.

If you’re thirsty — drink clean water.
If you’re sick — see a real doctor.
If you’re in the wilderness — find a stream, dig for water, or collect rain.

Your body knows best. When it makes urine, it’s telling you: “Throw this away — not drink it.”

Stay safe, stay hydrated the right way!

References

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Urine therapy: False claims, real risks. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/urine-therapy/faq-20375873
House, J. et al. (2019). Urotherapy: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Urology.
U.S. Army Survival Manual FM 3-05.70 – Chapter on Water Procurement
World Health Organization – Safe drinking water guidelines