We can cry because we're happy. We can cry because we're sad. We can cry because we're cutting onions. We can cry just because we need to cry. They're all completely different emotions...but are they different tears?
Joseph Stromberg of the Smithsonian’s Collage of Arts and Sciences explained that there are three major types of tears: basal, reflex, and psychic (triggered by emotions). All tears contain organic substances including oils, antibodies, and enzymes and are suspended in salt water. That makes sense! They're three different things! But how do tears of joy and tears of sorrow, which come from the same place, end up looking different? Because of circumstance.
Fisher examined around 100 different tears and found that basal tears (the ones that our body produces to lubricate our eyes) are drastically different from the tears that happen when we are chopping onions. The tears that come about from hard laughter aren’t even close to the tears of sorrow. Like a drop of ocean water each tiny tear drop carries a microcosm of human experience. Her project is called The Topography of Tears. Emotional tears have protein-based hormones including the neurotransmitter leucine encephalin, which is a natural painkiller that is released when we are stressed. Plus, the tears seen under the microscope are crystallized salt and can lead to different shapes and forms. So even psychic tears with the same chemical composition can look very different.
Fisher said, “There are so many variables—there’s the chemistry, the viscosity, the setting, the evaporation rate and the settings of the microscope.”
So remember tears are alike. If somebody is claiming that your crying when you are laughing show them with a microscope.
I can't believe the difference between all of these. If you found this post interesting, share it with others.