Pseudoscience: Consists of statements, beliefs, or practices that are claimed to be both scientific and factual but are incompatible with the scientific method (unproven, not testable, or opposed to the consensus of traditional science).
Urine Therapy
Definition: Urine therapy, also known as urotherapy, urinotherapy, or auto-urine therapy, is an alternative medicine practice involving the consumption or external application of human urine for supposed health benefits. Practitioners claim that drinking urine or applying it to the skin can detoxify the body, strengthen the immune system, improve skin conditions, accelerate wound healing, and treat diseases including cancer, diabetes, and infections. Although the practice has historical roots in traditional medicine, credible scientific research has not demonstrated its claimed therapeutic benefits.
Reasoning: No reliable scientific evidence shows that drinking or applying urine prevents or treats disease. According to Poison Control, urine is about 95% water and contains urea, creatinine, electrolytes, and other metabolic waste products the kidneys remove from the body. Contrary to a common misconception, urine is not sterile and can contain bacteria. Poison Control advises against drinking urine or applying it to wounds because of the potential for illness and infection. Further, Cleveland Clinic explains that urine does not possess antiseptic properties, and applying it to open wounds can introduce bacteria and interfere with healing. Drinking urine can also worsen dehydration because it reintroduces salts and waste products that the body is attempting to eliminate. Similarly, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) reports that there are no proven medical benefits from urine consumption and that the practice may cause more harm than good. Furthermore, AAP FactCheck consulted medical researchers and cancer specialists who confirmed that claims of urine curing cancer, HIV, diabetes, and other serious illnesses have no credible scientific basis. Although certain compounds found in urine, such as purified urea, have legitimate medical and cosmetic applications, this does not establish that consuming or applying untreated urine provides equivalent benefits. The greatest danger arises when individuals rely on urine therapy instead of scientifically validated medical treatments.
More Information
- Is It Safe to Drink Your Urine? – Poison Control
- Is Pee Sterile? Here’s What the Science Says – Cleveland Clinic
- Why Drinking Your Urine Isn’t Good for You – UPMC
- Wee Problem With Claim Drinking Urine Cures Diseases – AAP FactCheck
- Urine Therapy: Uses, Effectiveness, and Safety – WebMD
Conclusion: Urine therapy is pseudoscience. There is no credible scientific evidence that drinking or applying urine detoxifies the body, strengthens immunity, heals wounds, or cures medical conditions. The practice can introduce bacteria, worsen dehydration, and potentially cause infections. Although purified substances derived from urine may have legitimate medical applications, these benefits do not extend to drinking or applying untreated urine. Urine therapy offers no demonstrated therapeutic benefit and can be particularly dangerous when substituted for proven medical treatment.
Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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