We cry when we feel sad. We cry when we feel happy. We cry when we feel scared, and we cry when we feel guilty. We cry when we feel a variety of emotions, ranging from one end of the spectrum to the absolute next and opposite; some of us more, and some of us less, but the fact remains common between us all. All of us cry for some reason or another in some sort of varying quantity- it’s just human nature, and we’ve done it since the very moment we entered this world. The one thing all of us don’t do, however, is ask why. After all, how do feelings prompted from circumstances instigate water falling out of organs that we use to see?

In addressing what makes people cry, we must first address the three types of tears that exist: basal, reflex, and emotional. This blog will only be examining the third, as the first two occur for quite logical reasons. Basal tears are produced to lubricate our eyes when they dry. Reflex tears are produced in response to external stimuli for the sake of protection, deployed to fend off foreign particles like dust or pollen. These two types of tears, basal and reflex, consist of 98% water- monumentally simplistic. However, emotional tears are produced for reasons much more elaborate, much more complicated that are examined below.

We all cry tears (other than basal or reflex) for a multitude of different reasons. Many scientists agree that humans have predominantly utilized shedding tears as a survival mechanism. This theory is supported by a neuropsychologist from Florida, who states crying means “We have to address something,” or that we need something we are otherwise incapable of receiving ourselves. It’s why babies cry-they need their mother’s attention. It’s also why we cry sometimes- our body needs our attention to do something.

Another accepted reason, in addition, states that we purely cry as a social function. For some of us, hopefully the small minority, this may hold true. Crying means attention. If the mind wants attention, it both consciously and subconsciously knows that crying is a sure-fire way to obtain it.

            The main reason we cry emotionally: tears act as release valves for stress hormones and a variety of unpleasant toxins. While basal and reflex tears consist 98% of water, it’s a different story for these emotionally induced droplets- they instead contain adrenocorticotrophic hormones and enkephalin. The former is a hormone commonly associated with high stress levels, while the ladder is an endorphin, killing pain and improving moods. When these hormones build up in the cerebrum (induced by sadness) they quite literally overflow into ocular areas. Here, needless to say, the body pushes them out as tears after an excessive buildup. This flushing of tears loses a few things: first…regrettably…a little bit of manliness. Second, however: depression. Then anxiety, stress, and all sorts of other malicious feelings.

            So the next time you feel like you need a good cry? Let it out. Let those tears flow. Being salty isn’t always a bad thing.