Osmotic pressure and the direction of the flow of water

[WoodWinds]

I'm no biology teacher, and so I asked one that I know about what would happen if a person were to float in water that was super saturated with epsom salts. The answer I got was that the natural process of osmosis dictates that water would leave the human body to go towards the salt, not vice versa. This seems to contradict what I have read some people online describing with regard to what happens while floating. Essentially the high content of epsom salt in the tank would dehydrate you over time. The teacher also indicated that this is why one tends to feel thirsty after spending a long time in the ocean ..in addition to it normally being sunny and warm when one is in the ocean, causing one to lose water in the form of normal sweat, of course.

Anyone care to give any more detailed information about what effect soaking in epsom salt laden water has on the human body from a scientific standpoint?

[centaure]

Originally Posted by WoodWinds

I'm no biology teacher, and so I asked one that I know about what would happen if a person were to float in water that was super saturated with epsom salts. The answer I got was that the natural process of osmosis dictates that water would leave the human body to go towards the salt, not vice versa. This seems to contradict what I have read some people online describing with regard to what happens while floating. Essentially the high content of epsom salt in the tank would dehydrate you over time. The teacher also indicated that this is why one tends to feel thirsty after spending a long time in the ocean ..in addition to it normally being sunny and warm when one is in the ocean, causing one to lose water in the form of normal sweat, of course.

Anyone care to give any more detailed information about what effect soaking in epsom salt laden water has on the human body from a scientific standpoint?

not sure about how long inside the epsom solution will be . average 1 hour float times no problems. too much of anything can be a problem.don't sleep in the tank at night

[SteveBob]

Originally Posted by WoodWinds

I'm no biology teacher, and so I asked one that I know about what would happen if a person were to float in water that was super saturated with epsom salts. The answer I got was that the natural process of osmosis dictates that water would leave the human body to go towards the salt, not vice versa. This seems to contradict what I have read some people online describing with regard to what happens while floating. Essentially the high content of epsom salt in the tank would dehydrate you over time. The teacher also indicated that this is why one tends to feel thirsty after spending a long time in the ocean ..in addition to it normally being sunny and warm when one is in the ocean, causing one to lose water in the form of normal sweat, of course.

Anyone care to give any more detailed information about what effect soaking in epsom salt laden water has on the human body from a scientific standpoint?

To WoodWinds;251: The question comes close to an area that I had expertise in years ago-- in medical sales. Called osmotic effect, if you seperated water in a container with a "permeable" membrane, and added salt to one side, the "salty" side will rise..i.e. gain volume from the other side. Inside of our bodies, salt & natural large molecular proteins regulate plasma & fluid flow in & out of tissues & organs. Swelling, bloating, hang-overs, shock, ..effects on blood volume / blood pressure---same process.

Good question!! Now I need a biology teacher! My answer would be the same "don't sleep in the tank". If our skin was as permeable as our tissues, we'd all just ooze onto the floor. Although skin will absorb certain things--like "oils", it's designed to "lock out" our environment--particularly water. Obviously, it does have outward flow design--to release sweat, but that's in relation to heat & exertion--to maintain body temperature. It also releases gas molecules. I suspect that what we call water logged is really the effect felt when normal gas exhalation through skin is restricted because we're in water too long. If we're thirsty after being in the ocean, I'd say we probably swallowd some salt water---or maybe we exerted ourselves. My vote then would be that immersion in salt would not -"draw" water or sweat out of your body. --Steve