[rainboteers]

Does anyone else feel a little better right after or when they cry? I do, and I told my dr. about it. She said that when you cry, your brain releases seretonin! Obviously not enough to make you well, as I have cried enough to know that no amount of tears are gonna cure me. Still I thought it was interesting. Thought some of you might find it interesting as well...

 

[sming]

Always. For about 3-4 hours I find new resolution, strength and hope. But as Robert Smith once said "Boys Don't Cry"

 

[Guest]

only if i try real hard i can cry a bit, but it always feels so forced.

I wish it were easier to trick yourself. You'd believe someone saying "you'rte going to be okay", but you can't make yourself believe it.

 

[Ben]

I think it's probably also the act of doing something emotional. I think you're absolutely right about the chemistry, but I think the feeling is sustained because we're happy we felt something.

 

[rainboteers]

Ben,
Oh that is the part that makes me feel better. I feel way more connected when I cry and that is part of the reason I think it helps me. I just found it amazing that your brain also releases seretonin as well. Seems like we were built to overcome depression and the like naturally with out tears. Something has gotten screwed up along the way though because it doesn't work. I must have cried 6 hours of the day today and I am not much better.

 

[MorebeingMe]

Isn't Seretonin good for you?
I heard if your seretonin level is down your depressed.
But maybe less seretonin uppers the dopeamine?

 

[rainboteers]

Yes serotinin is good for you. It is the "feel good" chemical in your brain, and when you cry your brain releases a little bit of that feel good chemical. The fact that crying is the only thing that provides me with any relief leads me to believe that I might be low on serotonin. Don't know if serotinin ups the dopamine though.