Is there such a thing as drinking too much water?

In recent years, promoting drinking water has become popular on TikTok. Users share their water bottles, make their own WaterTok recipes, and even find out what kind of water to drink in certain situations.

This is despite the fact that, in the United States, lack of hydration is not really a problem. Although numerous studies have grabbed the headlines declaring the country to be "under-hydrated", the reality is that if someone is concerned about hydration levels but feels hydrated, they are likely hydrated enough for their body.

"If you're a healthy person concerned about hydration, chances are you have too much," author Katherine J. Wu writes for The Atlantic. Wu goes on to note that experts disagree about how much water a person needs in a day, how to best measure hydration, or even which drinks are best for hydration.

While there doesn't seem to be much of a downside to staying hydrated, TikTok user Taylor Donoghue (@taylordonoghue) says she's rethinking her hydration habits after a visit to the doctor.

Why you can drink a lot of water

In a clip with over 964,000 views as of Friday, Donoghue says she "just paid $500 to be told by a doctor that I should drink less water."

"I'm that friend who would use the bathroom like every hour," Donoghue reveals. "Honestly, wake up in your sleep - it's gotten out of hand."

To resolve the issue, Donoghue says he visited a urologist, who immediately noticed the 40 oz water bottle Donoghue was carrying. The TikToker claims she drinks three of these bottles a day.

“She said, 'God, no, this is too much. Just cut it back slowly or take it out more and I think you'll see great results. I don't want to be throwing crazy pills or drugs or catheters at you at 23,'' Donoghue recalls. "So I think that's good news."

@taylordonoghuee

Lets hope her advice works lol im basically mad hahahaha

♬ original sound – Taylordonoghuee

In a follow-up video, Donoghue adds that he wasn't drinking water because he was thirsty; rather, she was making herself drink water because she was told it was healthy.

"Growing up, you're told to drink a ton of water, water will fix everything, water will make your skin clear, keep you healthy and fuller longer," she shares. “So that's why I was doing it. Not necessarily that I was very thirsty, I was just forcing it.”

@taylordonoghuee Responding to @kristrireedmd ♬ original sound – Taylordonoghuee

In the comments section, many users noted that Donoghue could simply be drinking too much water, with some admitting to having the same problem.

"I am MD. I have no idea where he got all the idea that he needs to drink so much water,” one user wrote.

"Yes, no need to wash yourself with water, he is quite right!" added another. “Water is important, but too much water can also be harmful! Pelvic floor work, probiotics.”

"Funny story.. we had a patient come in for frequent urination, 20 minutes in the room she goes 'I'm going to drink 8 coffees a day, can that affect things?'" recalled a third.

The Daily Dot reached out to Donoghue by email.

The internet is chaotic, but we'll break it down for you in a daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot's web_crawlr newsletter here to get the best (and worst) of the web straight to your inbox.