Emotional tears have special health benefits. Biochemist and “tear expert” Dr.
William Frey at the Ramsey Medical Center in Minneapolis discovered that
reflex tears are 98% water, whereas emotional tears also contain stress
hormones which get excreted from the body through crying. After studying the
composition of tears, Dr. Frey found that emotional tears shed these
hormones and other toxins which accumulate during stress. Additional studies
also suggest that crying stimulates the production of endorphins, our body’s
natural pain killer and “feel-good” hormones.” Interestingly, humans are the
only creatures known to shed emotional tears, though it’s possible that that
elephants and gorillas do too. Other mammals and also salt-water crocodiles
produce reflex tears which are protective and lubricating.
