• Question: why do we produce tears when we cry?

    Asked by libbymurphy to Claire on 27 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Claire Lee

      Claire Lee answered on 27 Jun 2013:

      Honestly, I’m not really sure, and I don’t think it’s actually fully understood either. What people do know is that there is a link to the part of your brain that governs emotions, and the part of your brain that controls your tear ducts. But exactly why, or for what purpose, is unsure.

      Interestingly, the tears you produce when sad actually have a different composition to tears that your eyes make when, for example, they are just watering!

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