Frightening Simulation Reveals Exactly How One Can Die From Simply Drinking Too Much Water

Believe it or not, too much water can drown you from the inside.

Jesse

• Published in News
• September 16, 2024

We’ve all heard the saying, “Too much of a good thing can be bad,” and water, the very essence of life, is no exception.

We’ve all been told to drink plenty of water—hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! And let’s be real: with all those shiny water bottles and apps reminding us to drink up, we’re on top of it.

But here’s the thing no one really talks about—gulping too much of the elixir of life can turn into something downright terrifying. Zack D. Films, a YouTuber, decided to take things up a notch by showing us exactly what happens when you go overboard on H2O. Spoiler alert: it’s not pretty.

His simulation explores the chilling effects of water intoxication, and it has people on the internet seriously spooked. If you’ve ever considered chugging a few gallons to hit your hydration goals for the day, you might want to think again. 

Zack’s video explains that drinking a lethal amount of water can cause your brain cells to swell, leading to a host of horrifying consequences—from coma to death. 

And before you think, “Well, I don’t drink that much water,” remember: it’s still possible to overdo it. In fact, drinking just six liters of water within a few hours could be enough to send you into serious danger. Gulp.

Believe it or not, too much water can drown you from the inside

So, what actually happens when you drink too much water? Well, as Zack explains, the excess water floods your stomach and then seeps into your bloodstream. 

This leads to a condition called hyponatremia — which is just a fancy way of saying your blood doesn't have enough salt. With too much water, your cells begin to absorb the excess in an attempt to balance things out. The result? Swelling. 

While most of your body’s cells can stretch to accommodate this, your brain cells are trapped inside your skull with no wiggle room to expand. As M. Amin Arnaout, chief of nephrology at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains, the swelling puts intense pressure on your brain, which can lead to seizures, coma, and, in the worst-case scenario, death.

The brain swells to dangerous levels and begins crushing against the skull—this can be fatal in most cases

Now, don’t freak out and ditch your water bottle just yet. It’s not like guzzling an extra glass or two will land you on your deathbed. The key here is moderation. 

The recommended daily intake is around two to two-and-a-half liters of water. So, as long as you’re sticking to that, you’re in the clear.

But Zack’s simulation sure has made people think twice. Reddit users were quick to express their fears, with one person commenting, “New fear unlocked: drinking too much water.”

Another user, who had an unfortunate real-life encounter with this, recalled suffering a seizure after drinking two gallons of water while breastfeeding.

This cautionary tale is proof that even something as life-sustaining as water should be consumed in moderation. So, while it’s still important to stay hydrated—maybe lay off the marathon water-drinking sessions. As with everything in life, balance is key!

Jesse