Why Do We Cry? What Science Knows About Emotional Tears

Oct 13, 2026 · 4 min read · Sourced and fact-checked

The short answer: Emotional tears are made when the limbic system signals the tear glands. Researchers think crying works partly as a social signal, but much about it is still not understood.

Crying is one of the most common human behaviours, yet scientists say there is still a lot they do not know about it.

Three kinds of tears

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says we have three types of tears: basal tears, reflex tears and emotional tears. Cleveland Clinic explains that reflex tears wash away irritants, such as when you cut onions or get sand in your eye. Emotional crying is the part researchers do not fully understand. Most researchers believe emotional tears, triggered by strong feelings like joy and sadness, are unique to humans, according to the Academy.

How the brain makes them

When your body makes emotional tears, the limbic system, the part of the brain tied to emotional arousal, signals the pons, which relays a signal to the tear system, the Academy says. Cleveland Clinic adds that when you cry, the tear glands make fluid faster than the tear ducts can drain it, so the extra spills over your eyelids.

A social signal

The Academy notes that Charles Darwin called emotional tears purposeless, but later work suggests tears help social bonding and encourage helpful behaviour. Psychologist Lauren Bylsma of the University of Pittsburgh says the value of crying may be more about the social response it prompts than its physical effects. Her studies found people were more likely to feel better after crying if they got social support. Those who held back tears, or cried somewhere unsupportive such as work, were less likely to feel better.

What affects crying

Cleveland Clinic lists culture and upbringing, significant events like weddings and funerals, tiredness, hormones, relationships and some mental health or neurological conditions. It says testosterone may block crying while prolactin may contribute to it. The Academy says researchers found extra proteins and hormones in emotional tears, but these early findings still need to be repeated by other studies.

The limits

The Academy says there is still more to learn about emotional tears, and that findings about what is inside them are preliminary. Crying is normal. If it feels out of control or comes with other worrying symptoms, talk to a doctor. This is general information, not medical advice.

Sources

American Academy of Ophthalmology, All About Emotional Tears (February 28, 2017): https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/all-about-emotional-tears
Cleveland Clinic, Crying (medically reviewed, last updated January 9, 2025): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/crying

Facts checked: October 13, 2026.