Do you really know? Why do we cry?
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Mar 18, 2026 They break tears into basal, reflex, and emotional types and explore what triggers each. The chemistry and anatomy behind tear production get a clear walkthrough. Listeners hear why crying can reduce stress and pain and how tears restore emotional balance. The show also examines why crying spreads through groups via shared brain pathways and social signaling.
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Three Distinct Types Of Tears
- Humans produce three distinct types of tears: basal, reflex, and emotional.
- Joseph Chance explains basal lubricate the cornea, reflex respond to irritants, and emotional tears are chemically different and socially communicative.
Emotional Tears Carry Painkillers And Stress Hormones
- Emotional tears carry proteins and hormones that mirror mood-driven blood chemistry changes.
- Joseph Chance notes emotional tears contain encephalene and discharge cortisol, helping relieve pain and stress but causing fatigue.
Crying As A Call For Cooperation
- Crying functions as a social signal to attract help and empathy from others.
- Joseph Chance summarizes scientific consensus that crying is a call for cooperation, drawing attention and invoking empathy.