Tears are scientifically divided into three categories:
1. Continuous or basic tears that keep the eyes moist
2. Reflective tears caused by irritation
3. Emotional tears, produced in response to feelings.
The continuous tears are produced by small glands of the eyelid, while reflective and emotional tears are produced by the large lacrimal gland.
The components of tears are: enzymes, proteins, hormones, manganese, potassium, sodium, essential substances which protect against infections.
But emotional tears have a higher content in proteins and hormones such as prolactin operating anxiolytically.
They also content endorphins in their composition, which have been characterized as anti-stress and natural analgesia hormones.
You could say that tears are “natural drug”.