# If crying's purpose is to balance chemicals by getting rid of some of them...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cryings-purpose-is-to-balance-chemicals-by-getting-rid-of-some-of-them/201657>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 15, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cryings-purpose-is-to-balance-chemicals-by-getting-rid-of-some-of-them/201657 "2003-09-15T01:02:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gypsymoth3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@gypsymoth3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsymoth3)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cryings-purpose-is-to-balance-chemicals-by-getting-rid-of-some-of-them/201657/1 "2003-09-15T01:02:38Z")

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would it be possible to eat something… i would guess potassium… to balance the chemicals and prevent crying?

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**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cryings-purpose-is-to-balance-chemicals-by-getting-rid-of-some-of-them/201657/2 "2003-09-15T01:06:49Z")

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I’m more curious about where you got the idea that that was the purpose of crying, than in the actual answer to your question, which is no.

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**Author:** ![gypsymoth3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@gypsymoth3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsymoth3)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cryings-purpose-is-to-balance-chemicals-by-getting-rid-of-some-of-them/201657/3 "2003-09-15T01:12:18Z")

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it was said in a previous thread from a long time ago entitled “why do we cry?” which i can’t find because all the words in the title are less than four letters and will not produce any results… maybe i should search for “tears”.

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**Author:** ![gypsymoth3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@gypsymoth3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsymoth3)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cryings-purpose-is-to-balance-chemicals-by-getting-rid-of-some-of-them/201657/4 "2003-09-15T01:21:59Z")

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from [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=201951&highlight=tears)

> [@](#):
>
> Originally posted by maryymel  
> **ClayC852-  
> It’s called homeostasis. The ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes. Emotions (anger, laughter, grief, joy) create a change in our bodies. Neurotransmitters…scratch that, lets keep this simple. Chemical changes occur, and our bodies react to that change. “Excess chemicals” are released through our tears. Ever notice how you really feel better after a long hard cry? It’s your body expelling the “excess” and reestablishing homeostasis.**

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**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cryings-purpose-is-to-balance-chemicals-by-getting-rid-of-some-of-them/201657/5 "2003-09-15T01:25:18Z")

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**Gypsy** , from that quote it would seem to me that the excess chemicals being released are built up by the stresses that make you feel “upset” and lead to crying in the first place.

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**Author:** ![gypsymoth3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@gypsymoth3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsymoth3)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cryings-purpose-is-to-balance-chemicals-by-getting-rid-of-some-of-them/201657/6 "2003-09-15T01:37:10Z")

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the reason i asked this question is i was wondering if there was a way to prevent depression/crying spells people sometimes get which i know are probably caused by imbalances (and/or lack of drugs… hehe) other than depression medications.