The Three Types of Tears
Your eyes actually make three different types of tears. Basal tears keep your eyes wet every day. Reflex tears happen when you get dust or onion fumes in your eye.
The third type, Psychic tears, are triggered by emotions like sadness, joy, or anger. Humans are the only animals known to cry psychic tears.
The Emotional Drain
Scientists have discovered that emotional tears contain high levels of stress hormones and leucine-enkephalin, a natural painkiller.
By crying, your body is physically 'washing' stress chemicals out of your system. This is why you often feel a sense of relief or calmness after a 'good cry.'
The Social Signal
Tears are a powerful way to communicate without words. Long before babies can talk, tears tell their parents that they are in pain, hungry, or lonely.
Seeing tears triggers an automatic empathy response in the brains of other people, making them more likely to offer help or comfort.
The Blurry Vision Factor
Why do tears make our vision blurry? This is actually a signal too. When your vision is blurred by tears, you are less able to defend yourself or be aggressive.