Why Do We Cry? The Science of Human Tears
- Did you know that humans are the only species known to shed tears for emotional reasons?
- While many animals cry loudly to signal distress as infants, they don't seem to have the brain connections to trigger tears in response to complex emotions.
- Even though scientists understand how tears work, it is indeed still not fully understood why humans cry and what emotional tears are for.
We cry when we are sad,overwhelmed,angry,and even happy.
Did you know that humans are the only species known to shed tears for emotional reasons?
While many animals cry loudly to signal distress as infants, they don’t seem to have the brain connections to trigger tears in response to complex emotions.
Even though scientists understand how tears work, it is indeed still not fully understood why humans cry and what emotional tears are for.
WHAT ARE TEARS?
“Tears are made up of five components: mucus,electrolytes,water,proteins,and lipids,” says Dr. Marie Bannier-Hélaouët, a researcher at the Human Biology Institute in Switzerland.
The researcher, who spoke to the BBC World Service program CrowdScience, points out that all of these have different properties.
For example,proteins are antiviral and antibacterial,and electrolytes are minerals necessary for body functions.
And ther are three types of tears.
“Basal tears are the tears that are always present on the surface of the eye. They keep the eye lubricated,” explains Dr. Marie Bannier-Hélaouët.
reflex tears are secreted when an irritating foreign substance, such as an insect or dust, enters the eye.
This is detected by nerve cells in the cornea, the eye’s obvious, dome-shaped outer layer that acts as a protective barrier against germs and debris.
The cornea has the highest concentration of nerve cells in the entire body.
According to Bannier-Hélaouët, these are warm
We are seeing an increase in parasympathetic activity.” This is the arm of the nervous system that helps us calm down and relax.
However, Vingerhoets points out that crying doesn’t always make us feel better, especially if we are experiencing depression or burnout.
This also depends on what makes us cry.
“We generally report that our mood improves when we cry in controllable situations, but there is no such effect when we don’t cry in uncontrollable situations,” he says.
The people around us can also make a difference.
“If they meet us with understanding and offer support and comfort, then we feel better. But if they start to mock us or get angry, or if we feel ashamed, then there is no relief,” he explains.
SOCIAL MESSAGES
In fact, there is some evidence that crying can affect how others behave towards us.
In a laboratory study conducted in Israel, men who smelled women’s emotional tears were found to be less aggressive than men who smelled saline solution.
Researchers agree that tears serve as a social signal showing that we need help and increase other people’s willingness to provide support.
Some studies suggest that emotional tears may make us appear more trustworthy, which may have helped our ancestors cooperate and support each other.
Crying
PHASE 1: ADVERSARIAL RESEARCH, FRESHNESS & BREAKING-NEWS CHECK
Here’s a breakdown of the claims in the provided text, verified against authoritative sources as of January 19, 2026, 17:26:39.
Claim 1: Men cry on average 0-1 times per month, while women cry 4-5 times per month.
* Verification: This claim aligns with research, but the numbers vary depending on the study. A 2022 study published in Evolution and Human Behavior found women cry considerably more often than men, averaging 3.3 times per month compared to 1.4 times for men. (Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-social-brain/202212/why-do-women-cry-more-than-men) The Bylsma figures are within the range of reported findings.
* Status: Verified, with nuance regarding specific numbers.
Claim 2: Differences in crying frequency may be a learned behavior, but cultural variations suggest it’s more complex.
* Verification: This is a widely accepted view. While societal norms do influence emotional expression, including crying, cross-cultural studies demonstrate that the underlying tendency to cry differs between individuals and groups, suggesting biological factors are also at play. (Source: https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-we-cry/)
* Status: Verified.
Claim 3: Women are generally more emotionally reactive and expressive, and crying is a manifestation of this.
* Verification: Research supports the idea that women, on average, exhibit greater emotional reactivity. This is linked to both biological and social factors. However, it’s crucial to avoid generalizations. (Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/why-do-women-cry-more-than-men-5208366)
* Status: Verified, with a caveat against generalization.
Claim 4: Neurological, hormonal, and personality differences may contribute to crying frequency.
* Verification: This is a core area of research. Neurological studies show differences in brain regions involved in emotional processing between sexes. Hormonal fluctuations (though the link to menstrual cycles is debated – see below) are known to influence emotional regulation. Personality traits like neuroticism and empathy are strongly correlated with crying. (Source: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-neuroscience-of-tears-180976653/)
* Status: Verified.
Claim 5: There’s currently limited strong evidence that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect how much we cry.
* Verification: This is accurate. While anecdotal evidence is plentiful, robust scientific evidence directly linking menstrual cycle phases to crying frequency is lacking. Research is ongoing. (Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/why-do-i-cry-so-easily#menstrual-cycle)
* Status: Verified.
Claim 6: Crying is linked to neuroticism and extraversion.
* Verification: Studies consistently show a correlation between neuroticism (a tendency towards negative emotions) and crying. The link to extraversion is less consistent, but some research suggests extraverts may cry more in social situations. (Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232544699_Personality_and_crying_The_role_of_neuroticism_and_extraversion)
* Status: Verified.
Claim 7: People with higher empathy levels are more likely to cry.
* Verification: This is well-established. Empathy involves experiencing the emotions of others, which can trigger emotional responses, including crying. (Source: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_do_we_cry)
* Status: Verified.
Claim 8: Crying serves a social bonding function.
* Verification: This is a prominent theory.Tears signal vulnerability and elicit caregiving responses from others, strengthening social bonds. (Source: