Is crying good for your heart?

Answer 1

A tear is a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland (which is near your eye tip--nearest to the nose). It is surprising to know that we have different kinds of tears with different composition! Yes! To be specific there are three types. Here they are:

Basal tears: These tears are always there making your eyes watery and not dry! They contain antimicrobial enzymes and some lipids which clears the dust of the eye, fight against bacterial infection and keep it lubricated.

Reflex tears: Have you ever yawned and see tears coming out? Or maybe coughed? Or maybe you had chilly? Or bright light? Or have you experienced a vegetable (onion) making you tear up? These are all examples of reflex tears, we can't control them and they actually appear when there is a trigger on a nerve called ophthalmic. The function is to wash out any irritants that may have come contact with your eye.

Psychic tears: These tears are caused by your brain (limbic system) in respond to your emotions. When a toddler cries because you didn't give her chocolate. Or when parents are so happy to see their son got a job. Or when we experience intense anger, depression.. or any other strong emotional response (both positive and negative). These tears contain more hormones like prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and leucine enkephalin (a natural pain killer).

Extra Note: Psychic tears are very healthy and they can mean a lot. Socially, it is a sign that someone needs you to be close to them either by sharing their happiness or sorrows. Biologically, a stressed person, releasing cortisol--the stress hormone and leucin enkephalin and other hormones can make you feel a lot better. Psychologically, Freudian theory suggests that, letting out your emotions is beneficial and prevent tension build up, a research reveals 88.8% of people feel better and more manageable after a good cry, with an exception of people who are suffering a mood disorder.

Interesting fact: Women cry 47 times more than men every year. Studies suggest that, it is due to an increase of testosterone in men, since before puberty the number of crying is almost the same.