What characteristic distinguishes emotional tears from other types of tears?

Emotional tears are distinguished primarily by their production in response to strong emotions, such as sadness, joy, or frustration. This specific type of tear is unique because, unlike basal tears, which are consistently present to lubricate the eyes, or reflex tears, which are generated to protect the eyes from irritants like smoke or onion fumes, emotional tears serve a different purpose connected to our psychological state. The composition of emotional tears can also vary—they may contain higher levels of stress-related chemicals compared to other types of tears, indicating a physiological response to emotional stimuli. Understanding this characteristic can help in recognizing the complex relationship between our emotional and physiological states.