Tears of Joy and Tears of Sadness Have Different Chemical Compositions

Not all tears are created equal. In fact, scientists categorize our tears into three distinct types: basal, reflex, and psychic. Basal tears are the constant lubricating film that protects our corneas, while reflex tears are the gushes that flush out irritants like smoke or onion fumes. Both are about 98% water. The third type, psychic or emotional tears, are the product of intense feelings like grief, joy, or frustration, and their composition is far more complex. They represent a unique biochemical event in the body.

When we experience a "good cry," our bodies are engaging in a fascinating form of self-regulation. Emotional tears contain significantly higher concentrations of protein-based hormones, including the stress hormone prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). More remarkably, they also contain leucine enkephalin, an endorphin that acts as a natural painkiller. This unique chemical cocktail has led researchers, like the pioneering "tear expert" Dr. William H. Frey II, to theorize that emotional crying is an excretory process. It literally purges stress-related chemicals from our system, helping to restore the body's chemical balance and contributing to the sense of calm and relief that often follows.