By Sanjana Sethi
As humans, we laugh. We scream. We get excited. We get bored. And yes, like any other functioning individual with feelings, we Cry. It may be Disappointment for you. Fear for another. Loneliness. Love. Heartbreak. The list is endless.
As teenagers, all we know, when we’re dumped by the ‘love of our lives’, when tears race down our cheeks, and gut- wrenching sobs tear through us, is just one thing- that it’s the end of the world. And yes, it hurts. We ask- “What do you mean, it’s over?”, as the cascade down our face just doesn’t seem to stop. But, have we ever stopped to wonder- Why? Why is the natural response of our bodies, to any kind of Pain or extreme emotion, the release of a concoction of water and enzymes from perfectly healthy mammalian organs we call eyes? Sounds weird right?
Well, according to Science, it’s not. According to Science, (though it might be the end for your relationship) this is just the Beginning. Not surprisingly, our complicated Anatomy produces not one, but three types of tears- Basal, Reflex, and Psychic. Basal tears are the harmless ones. They keep dirt and debris away, and keep the cornea lubricated. Then come the Reflex layers. Wonder why you cry at the slightest hint of Onions? Yup. It’s them. They don’t mean any harm though, they keep out irritation from foreign vapors and particles. Last come the Psychic tears.
These are produced in response to strong emotions ranging from stress, anger, sadness, to joy and pleasure- ones we know so well as moody teens.
But this isn’t actually the hardcore Science behind crying. Why do we really cry? What goes on in that extensive brain of ours, filled to the brink with memories of our Exes, and the disappointment of failing tests? Well, in face of extreme emotions- take for example, you’re about to be munched down by a Bear- the Limbic System (in charge of emotions) activates. Immediately, the Amygdala, in charge of emotional processing, sends a signal to hypothalamus. “You’re going to die!”, it screams to your Nervous System. Your heart starts to race. You can’t control it. Your automatic nervous system does it for you. To help you war- up for that looming gloom, the fight-or flight response, activated by the Sympathetic Nervous System, causes your Glottis (vocal chords), to swell up. You feel that dreaded lump in your throat. Then, inevitably, the weeping begins. There you go again.
So next time, when you’re binge- watching the next season of 13 Reasons Why, or you get a 4 on your Extended Essay, and you just can’t stop hiccupping out those tears, let them fall. At least you know it’s not entirely your fault.
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