Why does emotion make us cry?

[naomi24]

I'm not sure I'm wording this very well, but what's the connection between emotion and crying? What causes the tears to flow?

[squarebear]

From the internet:

"Studies have shown that emotional tears contain more manganese, an element that affects temperament, and more prolactin, a hormone that regulates milk production. Sobbing out manganese and prolactin is thought to relieve tension by balancing the body’s stress levels and eliminating build ups of the chemicals, making the crier feel better."

"But this minor physiological benefit aside, the most likely reason we produce emotional tears is because it’s a means of communication. Before babies can speak, they can cry. The only way for infants to express frustration, pain, fear, or need is to cry. Adults may use crying to bond with other humans. Expressing sadness can prompt comfort and support from peers. Different languages can provide barriers to spoken communication, but emotions are universal. There are also culturally acceptable reasons for crying that bring people together, such as at funerals or weddings."

[douglas9401]

It's usually endorphins innit. And because a shotgun's just too extreme.
There's always laughter to balance it out. :)

[grasscarp]

There is probably a lot we will never fully understand, as we are born without an accompanying user guide. All that is documented is what humans make of it all. I get teary eyed for stupid things like Susan Boyle singing I dreamed a dream.

[jake-the-peg]

That's funny I was having this very same discussion with someone the other day.

I don't know about the tears part but my thoughts are that what is happening is that this is a protection mechanism that when physically hurt a female or less dominant male is displaying infant behaviour (crying) that promts protective (or at least non aggressive) behaviour from a more dominant male.

The emotional response is closly related to the pain or vulnerability experience and prompts the same behaviour.

As for why our eyes water in this context I have no idea

[wildwood]

Tears flow when we're peeling unions because the volatile gasses affect the tear duct so the eye tries to clean itself with water. The same goes with smoke, wind etc.

Tears when we're laughing is simply the laughing muscles pressurising the tearducts.

The common tears of emotion are believed to be an evolutionary ploy to refrain superior clan members from bullying. If you think about it.... one tends to feel sorry for one that is crying, and it is generally thought of as weak to cry, especially for a male.

[naomi24]

Thanks for your answers. This question was prompted by a television programme I watched where a vastly obese man cried because he was struggling to lose weight and was evidently feeling sorry for himself. Tears were an automatic response to his feelings at that time and clearly helped soothe pent up emotion, but I wondered why they are necessary. Odd.

[mibn2cweus]

For some odd reason, something about mirrors tends to stimulate tear production in me . . . even when they weren't there to begin with! :o/

[naomi24]

:o)