[Slightly vulgar shower thought]

How does excretion (defection or urination) affect the thermal energy of the body? The substance retains some thermal energy from the body, but does losing that substance cool the body in any way?

  • @nate3d
    link
    621 days ago

    The body is not a perfect thermal insulator so you must note that the liquid in the bladder is constantly losing heat due to dissipation into the surrounding tissues then the environment around the body. The greater the temperature differential between the body and the environment, the faster the rate of transfer. Your body won’t (or at least it’ll try its damndest) to not let that internal temp drop, which will take more and more energy to maintain as the external temp drops.

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      321 days ago

      This is the right answer. To add to this; you produce more urine when you’re cold for this very reason. When you have to go, you have to go. But try to stay in your tent and piss in an empty bottle, then cuddle up to that bottle when it’s still warm. You get the best of both worlds.