Episode 4: Human Tears

Case report: Patient reports increased tearing while eating. This is caused by an abnormal regeneration of the facial nerve from Bells Palsy.

It is called Crocodile Tears because crocodiles would pretend to cry while devouring their prey.

All human tears are not the same. There is a higher content of lysozyme proteins in emotional tears compared to tears from cutting an onion.

Three Types of Tears:

Basic Tears are the tear that lubricates the eye. The salt content is the same as the blood plasma and intended to keep the cornea healthy.

Emotional Tears have high content of protein lysozyme and natural pain killer.  Also higher levels of Prolactin in female tears.

Tear duct is shorted in women. Also testosterone inhibits crying.  The incidence of crying is higher in females compared to males.

Emotional tears can decrease sexual arousal in men after they sense a woman’s tears.

Reflex Tear or the tear produced when cutting and onion. It is an irritant and the eye tears to help flush out the irritant. There is less protein in this tear compared to emotional tears.

Emotional tears can help reprogram the body in order to deal with stress. Keep in mind that crying is an emotional outlet and releases the natural endorphin pain killer which is why we often feel better after crying.