Finally, there are the best known kind: emotional tears. When cerebrum detects sadness, stress, or another strong emotion, the endocrine system is triggered to release hormones to the ocular area, causing tears to form. Emotional tears contain a chemical called leucine-enkephalin, an endorphin that reduces pain and works to improve mood. That’s part of the reason you feel better after a good sob fest!

Some believe crying isn’t just about releasing feel-good hormones – it’s a way to show others how we’re feeling and request their help. Dutch psychologist Ad Vingerhoets has studied crying for 20 years, and thinks there’s a reason humans are the only beings that cry due to strong emotion.

“It may seem obvious,” he says, “but you are more likely to feel better after you have received understanding and comfort, compared to after having received criticism and disapproval.”

So it’s a social signal, telling our friends and families we need a word of support or a hug…or maybe even some medical assistance if you’re feeling pain.

Why do we cry more than others?

Everyone cries, but women tend to cry more often than men. This is partially because some people (more male-focused) view tears as a sign of weakness. However, some people (male or female) cry all the time while it’s rare for others. Experts aren’t exactly sure why this is, but they believe personality and temperament probably play a role.

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed cry baby or prefer to be more stoic, it’s going to happen sooner or later. Maybe it’s time to quit asking yourself why do we cry, and just let those tears fly! You’ll feel better after…science says so.

If you’re fascinated by the intricacies or science of the human body, such as figuring out why do we cry, read our recent article on the body’s ability to forecast weather changes. And if you want to learn more about scientific careers that suit you, take our STEM Type quiz!