Observatoire des droits humains (anglais seulement)

Why do we cry happy tears? The science behind this emotional paradox

(Version anglaise seulement)

par Michelle Spear, Professor of Anatomy, University of Bristol

Tears are usually seen as a sign of sadness or pain, but it’s not uncommon for people to cry during life’s most joyful moments: weddings, births, reunions, sporting triumphs, or even just an unexpected act of kindness.

These “happy tears” seem contradictory, but they offer a fascinating window into how the human brain handles intense emotion.

Crying is a complex biological response to emotional overload – and it doesn’t discriminate between good and bad feelings. Whether triggered by grief or elation, tears are often the result of our brain attempting to process more than…

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