• Question: why do we cry when we are sad

    Asked by hannah to Kate, Pip, Reka on 17 Nov 2016.
    • Photo: Reka Nagy

      Reka Nagy answered on 17 Nov 2016:

      We cry when we experience strong emotions – which is why we can cry with happiness, when we are stressed or frustrated, or when we are sad. Crying is a way of releasing a lot of pent up energy. Tears contain a natural painkiller, called leucine enkephalin, which is why you feel a bit better after you’ve had a bit of a cry – so really, we don’t cry BECAUSE we’re upset, we cry to GET OVER being upset!

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