# Pavlov's Bladder
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavlovs-bladder/33732
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 19, 2000, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavlovs-bladder/33732 "2000-09-19T16:20:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2000, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavlovs-bladder/33732/1 "2000-09-19T16:20:04Z")
Is there a link between certain sensory stimuli and bodily functions? Could a sound or an unrelated action trigger the need to urinate?
Something about the act of unlocking the door to my apartment triggers a strong urge to urinate. No matter how often I’ve gone during the day, or whether I feel any urge prior to arriving at my door, as soon as I turn the keys in the lock I’ve gotta go. If I already sort of have to go, unlocking the door has me praying and dancing to prevent wetting myself. This happens regardless of time of day.
This isn’t a request for medical advice - I’ve seen a doctor and I’m not in need of Depends. I’m asking if maybe the sound or the action of unlocking the door is sending a signal to my bladder that “okay, it’s time now!”
Thanks.
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### Author:  [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2000, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavlovs-bladder/33732/2 "2000-09-19T16:40:28Z")
Could be. Certainly the sound of running water is a similar trigger for most of us. As to _how_ you got to make this unique association… maybe you led a previous life as a dog?
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### Author:  [@Sea\_Sloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sea_Sloth)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2000, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavlovs-bladder/33732/3 "2000-09-19T18:11:55Z")
I don’t know the exact answer to your question, magdalene, but I can commiserate. It’s like my body says to itself, “Ok, I’m home - time to relax all those muscles I didn’t even know were tensed!” OTOH, if someone is with me the reaction doesn’t happen. I think my body understands that it’s a less convenient time. Makes sense to me.
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### Author:  [@Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtar)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2000, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavlovs-bladder/33732/4 "2000-09-19T21:06:28Z")
I remember taking a psychology class in which associative properties like these were researched in greater detail. I only got a “B” in the class (Hey! I don’t like taking notes, okay?), but I do remember that the brain can be ‘conditioned’ to associate two unrelated things no matter how obscure it may seem. That’s why Pavlov made history with that Bell = Hunger/salivate experiment.
That same mental conditioning can go away though if you let yourself be exposed to the same stimuli, but without getting the same response. At least from what I remember.
Pavlov would ring the bell a few times without giving the dog’s their meal afterwards–and measured the ‘decay’ time that it took for them to stop responding to the external stimulus.
It takes a considerably less amount of time to ‘relearn’ conditioned behavior, though.
Dunno if this post was informative or not–but oh well. Stay dry! Or whatever. 😛
-Ashley
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### Author:  [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2000, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavlovs-bladder/33732/5 "2000-09-19T21:14:13Z")
Seems to me that everytime I drink a $1.50 pitcher at Coach’s, I really have to pee. Pretty weird…
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### Author:  [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2000, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavlovs-bladder/33732/6 "2000-09-19T22:29:23Z")
Thanks Ashley, that’s exactly what I was looking for.
And thanks, Connor. No really, I mean it. Thanks. Whatever takes your mind off the itching…😉