Weeping is a normal function, a natural response to many situations and experiences, and does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong with a person. It is also a common symptom of many different psychological and emotional problems, and can be worrying and disturbing if it keeps on happening - especially if a person has been taught that shedding tears is a sign of weakness, or of a lack of character - which is certainly untrue.

Important research was done some years ago to establish the function of tears. Researchers took a large number of volunteers (both men and women) and first exposed them to fumes (like onions) which would irritate the eyes. They collected the tears shed by the subjects, to analyse. Not surprisingly, those tears were found to be simply water and salt.

The same volunteers were then shown movies with strong emotional plots - films like Walt Disney's 'Bambi'. The tears of emotion shed by the volunteers were collected for analysis.

It has been known for many years that all of our emotions are caused by the ductless glands - glands in various parts of the body which secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. It is these hormones which are responsible for the changes which we notice when we experience fear, or happiness, sexual attraction, or other emotions.

When the tears of emotion of the volunteers were analysed, they were found to contain those very hormones.

So there really is such a thing as a 'good cry' - and crying actually fulfils a useful and important function. Those who claim to feel better after a 'good cry' are actually exactly right - and those who have laughed at their claims (usually us men!) have been mistaken.

What is hypnosis? - For further information please click here

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