Most people have heard about the horror referred to as "breaking the seal." It’s the idea that when you consume alcohol, you have to go to the bathroom more often. Worse, according to this theory, when you go for the first time, you break some sort of seal (regardless of the fact that this makes absolutely no anatomical sense) and you’re destined to run to and from the bathroom all night as your bladder rages on in a ceaseless, unforgiving crusade against you. It’s like punishment for your alcohol consumption because the slurred speech, stumbling and hangover aren’t enough, right?

When I first heard about this concept, I was surprised and wanted to avoid such an outcome. Then, a long couple of minutes later, I changed my mind. I decided that if I needed to go to the bathroom, then I was damn well going to go to the bathroom! Although, this mentality may have stemmed more from the fact that I have a congenital kidney problem than it did from  fearlessness. To hell with breaking the seal! I reasoned that it’s perfectly logical to need to pee more when you’ve been drinking, for the simple reason that you’ve been drinking – an act that involves the consumption of excess liquids, which causes increased urination the last time I checked.

I have some friends who seem exceptionally preoccupied with the phenomenon of breaking the seal and adamantly opposed to allowing nature to run its course when they’ve been drinking. This prompted me to seek the truth. Could there be any truth in this? If not, why is it such a widespread belief? I wanted the cold, hard facts. So, I did some research. 

The consumption of alcohol inhibits antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is responsible for helping to maintain normal water levels in the body through the reduction of water loss in urine. Without ADH acting to facilitate water conservation, the kidneys produce more water-diluted urine that fills the bladder more quickly, urging you to run off to the nearest bathroom more frequently.

Therefore, fear not, for there is no seal to break! Instead, just accept that you’re inherently doomed as soon as the boozing begins.

But, wait! There’s some good news. Apparently, some experimental evidence indicates that younger people are more affected than their elder counterparts because older people overcome the suppression of ADH faster. At least we can have slight consolation in knowing that things will improve with age. In the mean time, do yourself and your bladder a favor and vow to never again hold off on going to the bathroom while you’re out drinking for fear of breaking the seal. Put the myth of breaking the seal to rest and when nature calls, by all means, go!