why do we produce tears when we are sad?

Answer 1

Tears flow from our eyes when we cry because they contain chemicals and hormones produced by our bodies.

When we become upset, our brains and bodies overreact and work overtime by producing chemicals and hormones.

Crying helps eliminate these extra chemicals that we don't need.

The chemicals and hormones disappear from our body through the form of tears. As our tears flow, they sooth our sadness or distress by withdrawing these chemical agents.

That is why many people feel calmer or more refreshed after crying--because the tears get rid of these hormones that are produced when we are sad, happy, or distressed

Answer 2

scientists are not sure

we know we have lacrymal glands that produce tears in order to lubrify / protect the eyes.

but why would the stuff overflow occasionally?

some behavioural scientists believe that crying evolved as a way to signal to others that an individual needs comforting. Clearly, if in a film an actor acts sad, this is much less powerful to the viewer, than if the actor has tears flowing.

since crying still exists today, it must mean that it has been a favourable trait as seen from an evolutionary point of view.

apart from that, it's pretty clear that we can control crying up to an extent. Many people, many small kids learn to hold back tears, especially if mocked when they cry, but also to NOT show that they're temporarily distressed to someone who, instead of having the normal behaviour (help the crying individual), has the sickly behaviour (rejoice in the fact that another is suffering).

so that's all we know about WHY we cry (which is not much)


as for the rest, others here have mentioned that emotional tears are richer in stress hormones, which suggests that the body uses the shedding of tears as a way to quickly get rid of too much hormones, especially when they're totally out of place (for example if you are moved by a film, any hormones that flow into your bloodstream are useless since this is a virtual situation - so they should get eliminated quickly).

Answer 3

Tears flow from our eyes when we cry because they contain chemicals and hormones produced by our bodies.

When we become upset, our brains and bodies overreact and work overtime by producing chemicals and hormones.

Crying helps eliminate these extra chemicals that we don't need.

The chemicals and hormones disappear from our body through the form of tears. As our tears flow, they sooth our sadness or distress by withdrawing these chemical agents.

That is why many people feel calmer or more refreshed after crying--because the tears get rid of these hormones that are produced when we are sad, happy, or distressed

Answer 4

Tears flow from tear glands into your eyes through tiny tear ducts. The tear glands are located under your upper lids, and when stimulated, produce tears to form a thin film over your eyeballs. Every time you blink the film spreads over your eyes to keep them moist and free of dust and other irritants. Whether you are awake or asleep, happy or sad, this salty fluid is always flowing from the tear glands.

Besides protecting your eyes, the tear glands produce more fluid when your eyes are irritated. These extra tears are called reflex or irritant tears. And, when something makes you happy or sad, your tear glands will produce emotional tears. Used tears then drain down into two tiny openings on the brim of your upper and lower eyelids at the inner edge of your eyes, which lead to the nasolacrimal tear ducts next to the bridge of your nose. From there, they are channeled into your nasal cavity where they are swallowed or blown out with other nasal fluids. If there are too many tears, they will overflow your lower lid and run down your cheeks.

Some people have to help stimulate the production of natural tears. This disease is called Dry Eye Syndrome or Sjogren's Syndrome. People who have diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus often have this condition. They must use artificial tears up to every 10 to 15 minutes, and apply other medications to their eyes before going to bed as part of the treatment to improve the condition of their eyes.

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-Are the tears we cry when chopping onions different from the tears we shed while watching a sad movie? )

Answer 5

cause our emotional system is affected and our body needs to release something, but since we are only sad we release tears.

Answer 6

It may be a chemical reaction when ever we feel sad

Answer 7

Is it not something to do with chemicals in the brain?

Answer 8

Err....the word emotion rings a bell.

Answer 9

i really don't know.