The study, which consisted of 22 students, revealed that individuals who had to pee were more convincing when they told lies. Participants in the study were asked about how they felt about certain moral issues and social issues. After they were quizzed, half of them drank 700 mL of water, while the other half sipped on 50 mL of water. About 40 minutes later, a panel conducted an interview with them and asked about their previously stated beliefs. However, the participants were told to lie about their opinions on two of the issues.
Students who felt as if they had to pee showed few physical signs and they gave more complex answers when they were lying.
Iris Blandon-Gitlin, the co-author of the study, said that when a person has a full bladder, the strain from it may help them lie better because it activates the brain’s inhibition control centers. In order to lie, the brain needs to inhibit the urge to tell the truth, but when the bladder is full, then it is inhibiting the urge to urinate.
This is why it may be easier for people to lie when they have full bladders.
