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What Hormone Makes You Cry?

Published in Hormones & Crying 2 mins read

Based on biological research, prolactin is a hormone that might play a role in inducing crying.

Crying is a complex human response influenced by many factors, including emotions, psychological state, and biological factors. While no single hormone solely "makes" you cry, studies suggest that certain hormones can influence the propensity for crying.

According to biological information, specific hormones have been linked to affecting crying behavior. Notably:

  • Prolactin: This hormone, often associated with lactation, might also play a role in inducing crying, particularly in women. Higher levels of prolactin have been correlated with increased crying.
  • Testosterone: In contrast, this hormone, more prominent in men, might play a role in reducing crying.

The interplay between these and other biological and psychological factors contributes to how and why individuals cry.

To summarize the roles potentially played by these hormones as indicated by research:

Hormone Suggested Role in Crying (Based on Reference) Typically Higher In
Prolactin Inducing (especially in women) Women
Testosterone Reducing (especially in men) Men

It's important to understand that this is a biological link observed in studies. Crying is a multifaceted behavior, also driven by emotional triggers, stress levels, and individual differences. Hormones are one piece of this intricate puzzle.

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