An ordinary person, if he is not a biologist by profession,hardly seriously thought about the question: where do tears come from? Why do people cry from pain, grief, resentment or vexation? Why do women cry more often and longer than men, and how to explain this fact from the point of view of physiology and psychology?
Let's start from the very beginning.Lacrimal glands are found not only in animals, but even in birds. However, man is the only creature in animate nature, for which crying is not a simple reflex process, but an expression of emotions.
Over the question of what tears are, at different times, not only scientists, but also philosophers thought.
Here's how to the question:why people cry, said Alter Rebbe, founder of the Chabad teachings: "Bad news causes compression of the brain, followed by the release of fluid." Joyful news produces the opposite effect. "The blood supply of the brain improves, and energy spills in the body." According to the religious philosopher, human tears are nothing but a brain fluid. Modern science does not challenge this postulate, but it does not confirm it either. Although to date it is already known for sure that the activity of the lacrimal glands, like all other processes in the body, occurs under the guidance of the brain.
American biochemist William Frey several yearsHe devoted his life to the search for an answer to the question: why do people cry? He advanced his own hypothesis, according to which toxic substances are removed from the body during stress with tears. This theory has not yet been fully proved, and the scientist continues research activities. However, all this has to do with human physiology. But what about our emotions? Do tears act beneficial to our soul, soothe and alleviate suffering? Is it useful to cry in a difficult situation or should one restrain emotions?
The Israeli scientist biologist Oren Hasson, exploringthe behavioral reactions of the individual in the group, suggested that by tears a person signals his vulnerability and weakness. It should be noted that such a reaction comes from childhood, because a child crying attracts the attention of adults, giving them to understand that they are experiencing physical or psychological discomfort.
According to the scientist, tears are a protective reactionthe human psyche on the aggressive behavior of others, and also a good way to cause disposition to yourself on an intuitive level. Perhaps this is because in any of us the reactions to child crying are genetically laid. A sobbing adult seems to us a toddler who needs help. The biologist proposed his own theory of using tears to build personal relationships between people.
"Do not cry your son, you're a man ..."
Women cry much more often than representativesthe stronger sex. This is a well-known fact. In many ways this is the result of education. The boy from an early age is inspired by the idea that a real man never cries. A stormy manifestation of emotions is the prerogative of a gentle young lady, and the guy will be considered at the very least a sly, or even an unbalanced hysterical person. However, psychologists insist that it is necessary to give vent to their emotions at least occasionally. This will save you from many troubles. Physicians even found that the longer life expectancy of ladies is due to their ability in time to mourn the trouble and throw it out of your head.
However, in female whining, not onlyemotionality, but also hormones. Any woman is familiar with the condition, called in the language of doctors "premenstrual syndrome." "I get irritated over trifles, constantly want to cry, the body swells ..." - about these words describe their condition these days, the representative of the fair sex. The cause of this condition, many doctors consider the imbalance of estrogen hormones and progesterone. Something similar is experienced by ladies in the menopausal and post-menopausal period.
Tears of joy and pity
From birth to death, a person cries on average250 million times. Agree, an impressive figure. And we know perfectly well that the cause of tears is not always sad. Remember, did not you have to wipe the eyes of the moisture that came out during the Homeric laughter?
Why do people cry with laughter? The reason is simple and trivial: facial muscles stimulate glands located in the inner corner of the eye, and under their influence, tears begin to flow.
The reasons for tears can be set, it is quitenot necessarily trouble and trouble. All of us had to cry with emotion, looking at the kids going to the first class. At the acting courses of future students, they are taught to squeeze out a tear, because it is true to depict emotions - this is part of the profession. So, the teachers advise to begin to feel sorry for themselves, and in a few minutes tears will come from the eyes. This is such a simple science.
