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There are lots of reasons people cry. We cry because we are sad. We cry because we are happy. We even cry when something is really funny. Painful injuries can cause the tears to flow. Sometimes, it seems, people can cry for no reason at all. But, what is going on inside the body that makes us cry? Why is this such a common response to so many different situations? To help us answer this, we turn to our friends at TIME.
Humans are the only animal that cries from being overcome with emotions - be it the feelings sadness, happiness or something else. Many animals, dogs and elephants, for example, will have liquid coming from their eyes, but those are not the same kind of tears. A dog’s “tears” can just be their body’s response to getting dust in their eye and the tears are trying to remove the debris. Humans do this too, which does suggest a benefit to crying as a way to lubricate the eyes and flush anything that doesn’t belong.
All tears come from the lacrimal gland (or “tear duct”) in the corner of our eyes. Crying is also very normal for men and women. Women cry an average of 5.3 times per month and men cry an average of 1.3 times.
As for emotional tears, there are many theories as to what makes humans cry. Some researchers believe that crying releases stress hormones from the body. Other scientists say crying serves an evolutionary purpose by creating a bond between people and allow humans to communicate when they are in need.
It is true that crying does serve as a way to communicate without words as anyone who has been around a crying baby knows. A baby, after all, cannot talk so crying communicates a need for attention, food or a fresh diaper. This has led some researchers to conclude that we simply carry this communication trait with us into adulthood which explains why adults who can talk still cry sometimes.
Due to the need for more research, there is no single (or agreed upon) answer to what makes us cry among scientists. In fact, not all tears are the same either! Scientists analyzed the chemical makeup of tears from people who were crying because they were sad, people who were crying because of an injury and tears from someone who was just chopping an onion. The chemicals found in the tears caused by injury included endorphins, or natural painkillers found in the body. This means the response to cry is triggered by different effects on the body.
So, the question of why we cry isn’t completely settled even though it is completely normal and common.
Looking for more Never Stop Asking "Why?" questions? Catch up on all of the past "Why's" on the blog!
