• Question: Why do we cry and what makes us cry??

    Asked by to Ian, Naomi on 27 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Naomi Osborne

      Naomi Osborne answered on 27 Jun 2014:


      When we’re in a stressful or emotional situation, our brain instructs our nervous system to produce chemicals in a response called ‘fight or flight’. This causes a response including an increased heart rate that used to prepare our ancestors for a predator confrontation. The chemicals produced also act on our tear glands which are below our upper eyelid, producing tears and also on our throat, causing that ‘lump’ that you get.

      It’s still not known exactly why we cry, but there are theories. It’s thought one reason is for non-verbal communication – perhaps to make people care when we’re feeling emotional which can make you feel better. Babies may also cry to grab their mother’s attention when they’re feeling hungry.

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