# The sensation of thirst **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 13, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sensation-of-thirst/339883 "2006-01-13T21:38:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sensation-of-thirst/339883/1 "2006-01-13T21:38:45Z")
Exactly how do we experience thirst? I assume there’s a part of the brain that controls this. Does it get information from “thirst-detecting” cells located in the mouth? If so, how does the brain differentiate between dehydration and simple dry mouth? ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2006, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sensation-of-thirst/339883/2 "2006-01-14T00:27:20Z")
I cant answer the “how” part but I can add that thirst is a very deceptive sensation. iirc the military now teaches something like “if you couldnt pee (as in right now squeeze out at least a bit) then you need water.” ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2006, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sensation-of-thirst/339883/3 "2006-01-14T01:41:40Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > I cant answer the “how” part but I can add that thirst is a very deceptive sensation. iirc the military now teaches something like “if you couldnt pee (as in right now squeeze out at least a bit) then you need water.” [Read some guy’s class outline on it](http://home.epix.net/~tcannon1/Physioweek5.htm)