This One's a Tear Jerker

The Rest Is Science

Goalhanger

Science, Physics, Mathematics

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Are humans the only creatures that shed emotional tears? If we are, what purpose do these tears really serve? If crying is so natural, why do we so often try to hide it? A single sob sends Hannah and Michael into an unexpected journey through the science and mystery of emotional crying, from the first tearful moments of infancy to the complex social signals behind adult weeping. Why do babies cry before they can speak? How do tears strengthen - or strain - our relationships? And what is the hormonal cocktail that makes “a good cry” feel so strangely comforting? Join Professor Hannah Fry and YouTube educator Michael Stevens as they uncover the strange, revealing story of the human tear: why we cry, what our tears communicate, and how this uniquely human response shapes the way we connect. ------------------- For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit ⁠⁠https://cancerresearchuk.org/restisscience ⁠⁠Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restisscience Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🌍 ------------------- Find The Rest Is Science all over the internet by ⁠⁠clicking here.⁠⁠ ------------------- Video Producer: Adam ThorntonVideo & Social: Bex TyrrellAssistant Producer: Imee MarriottProducer: Becki HillsSenior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-CarterHead Of Digital: Samuel OakleyExec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Cancer Research UK.
0:02.8	Imagine this. Inside all of us, billions of cells follow millions of instructions
0:08.9	written in microscopic code. And when a new cell grows, it copies those instructions,
0:14.1	but the smallest error can lead cancer to develop.
0:17.6	Right. And this is the reason why there isn't a single cure for cancer, because, you know,
0:20.9	there are more than 200 different types. Each of them have got different distinct characteristics,
0:26.8	you know, different challenges, different mysteries. And that means that trying to cure cancer isn't
0:31.0	like following a single path. It's like trying to map out an entire forest. That's right. And Cancer
0:35.7	Research UK is the world's largest charitable
0:38.7	funder of cancer research. I mean, their work spans more than 20 countries with over 4,000
0:44.2	scientists, doctors and nurses pushing knowledge forward to save and improve lives worldwide.
0:49.9	You know, over the last 50 years, the work that this charity has done has helped to double cancer survival in the UK.
0:58.8	And you have to think about that is more parents at the dinner table, right?
1:02.2	That is more friends at their birthday parties.
1:04.7	That is more people who are living longer, better lives.
1:07.8	For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs,
1:12.9	and how you can support them, visit cancer research, UK.org forward slash rest of science.
1:25.3	Welcome to the rest of science with me, Hannah Fry.
1:27.9	And me, Michael Stevens.
1:29.2	And we thought we were talking about crying today, specifically.
1:32.5	Why do humans cry?
1:33.8	Why do you cry, Michael?
	...

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