APS Logo The ability to control bladder appears beneficial in making decisions of future. Yes, a recent study suggests that controlling bladder enhances the ability to effectively make decisions about the future. It was asserted that sexual excitement, hunger and thirst activates one of the bodily desires that can actually make people want other, unrelated rewards.

Scientists conducted a series of experiments to figure out the apparent effects of controlling bladder. During one of the experiments, participants were made to drink five cups of water which is around 750 milliliters, or took small sips of water from five separate cups. After 40 minutes, the amount of time it takes for water to reach the bladder, participants’ self-control was examined. A total of eight choices were offered to the study subjects and each of them was between receiving a small but immediate reward. And the other choices had a larger reward which would be delayed.

People with full bladders apparently were better at holding out for the larger reward later. Hence, Mirjam Tuk, of the University of Twente in the Netherlands and colleagues presume that individuals make better decisions when they have a full bladder. In conclusion, it was predicted that bladder control is largely an automatic, unconscious process which makes it harder for the brain to exert self-control over something else.

The study will be published in Psychological Science.