Many narcoleptics have no thirst mechanism. I'm never thirsty even though my mouth may be parched. I copied this from a post by Moshe Turner.
Dynorphin is co-localised on orexin neurons (but not exclusively).
With the loss of orexin neurons, dynorphin levels drop. Vasopressin,
which regulates vascular tone, responds to dehydration by trying to
narrow blood vessels, which raises blood pressure. This process is
modulated by dynorphin such that even as vasopressin neurons
are receiving spiking electrical signals telling them to release more
neurotransmitter, dynorphin is saying no, chill out on the vasopressin.
Because lower vasopressin levels cause a person to get thirsty, the
person knows to drink. Without adequate dynorphin, vasopressin levels
rise and the thirst response is repressed; PWN don't get thirsty when we
get dehydrated; in other words we "forget" to drink, which leads to
various health problems.
In other words, drink more water!
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