The Science Of Tears.

My indoctrination into the field of Psychology has been terribly prevalent in recent weeks. My analysis into human functioning has grown to new heights, with scientific rigour in its essence. Mostly everything I have ever feared happening to my cognitions. Oh, and I don't doubt that for former lovers this is their worst nightmare.

I was somewhat alarmed to recognise the fact I did not know why people cry. I mean, I know under which circumstances people are liable to. But what is its function? It is a universal behaviour, after all.

There are 3 primary forms of tear; 'basal tears' to maintain lubrication, 'reflex tears' for irritation such as from onions, and 'emotional tears'.
Interestingly, emotional tears contain a greater proportion of manganese, prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This axis is highly implicated with mood, emotion, sexuality, and stress.

From a more evolutionary stance, it is suggested tears were for eliciting and acknowledging pain; with the hope of receiving altruistic aid.

The basic gist of the science of tears is that having cried, the body expels certain stress hormones, which elucidates the reason as to why people report feeling better after having a cry.

Many species share similar features of the axis, though human beings are supposedly the only ones to shed emotional tears. A response to external or internal factors which can include loss, or self-realisation. The introduction of greater levels of testosterone in boys during puberty is seemingly the reason why men cry less than women.

It is therefore possible that the suppression of tears can result in depression, or a lowering of mood.