What is a tear?

Did you know your body makes enough tears every year to fill half a bathtub? It’s true! In this episode, Mira and Finn dive into the wild, slightly slimy, and totally amazing science of tears! You might think crying is just salty water leaking from your eyeballs, but tears are actually a super-advanced biological shield. Discover the microscopic bacteria-chopping ninja enzymes hiding in your everyday basal tears, and find out why chopping onions unleashes a massive flood of reflex tears to wash away stingy gases. Plus, did you know humans are the only animals on Earth that cry emotional tears? We’ll explore how crying is actually a biological superpower that flushes out stress hormones like cortisol and helps your brain calm down after a big, messy cry. From tiny hidden drain holes in your eyelids to the real truth behind crocodile tears, you will never look at crying the same way again. Join us to find out exactly what happens when the waterworks start!