Episode description

Our soft, human brains have been bested by 2022 so we are taking a quick break over the Christmas period and will be back assaulting your senses in Jan 2023. But because we don't want your ears to go unentertained, we're digging back into the archives for eps that have made us squirm, think or vomit (or hopefully, all three!). Today, we try and understand why oh why people drink their own urine.

Ok... to people who don't do it, it's weird and gross and wrong. But to people who do do it, it's basically the golden fountain of youth.

We have been fascinated with our own urine for a while now (humans that is, not the two of us). Back in medieval times, urine was considered to be a crucial diagnostic tool. Using a urine wheel, these medieval folks would diagnose disease based on the colour, smell, and taste (yes, taste) of a person's wee. Presumably by the time the colour got to ‘black as very dark horn’ the prognosis was not excellent.

This practice morphed into more urine-related fun times, specifically uromancy - a form of divination by studying urine. AKA Piss Prophets.

And then we come to urophagia. The weird gross quack medicine that is drinking your own urine! Urine was used in several ancient cultures for various health, healing and cosmetic purposes…and still is today.

Coen van der Kroon is a present-day advocate and has written an entire book researching both the history and present-day uses of urine. The book is very aptly called The Golden Fountain.

You’ll be relieved to know that van der Kroon tackles his subject with sensitivity and conviction. The book is not only a comprehensive history of urine use but a user-friendly guide to urine’s practical application. The health benefits and life-enhancing properties he (and his devotees) claim are numerous. Revitalised energy, a cure for depression, immune system boosting…

Why on earth have we not caught onto this earlier?

You may not have ever wanted to know about this practice, but your intrepid explorers at The Wholesome Show have done the hard yards for you today - so sit back, pour yourself a glass of something delicious, and enjoy!

Sources

Consciousness and Cognition: The inhibitory spillover effect: Controlling the bladder makes better liars

health: Why You're a Better Liar When You Have to Pee

Science Alert: These Urine-Fuelled Socks Generate Enough Power to Transmit Wireless Signals

American Journal of Nephrology: The medicinal use of urine

22 words: 20 things to do with Urine besides flushing it

Buzzfeed: 31 Things You Should Definitely Know About Pee

Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris: Piss Prophets and the Wheel of Urine

The Yoga Institute: Coen van der Kroon

The Golden Fountain - Coen can der Kroon

BBC: Please can everyone stop drinking their own urine?

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