Crying is a more complicated process than one would at first imagine. First of all, there are really three different types of tears. Basal tears keep our eyes lubricated constantly. Reflex tears are produced when our eyes get irritated, like with onions or when something gets into our eyes. The third kind of tear is produced when the body reacts emotionally to something. Each type of tear contains different amounts of chemical proteins and hormones. Scientists have discovered that the emotional tears contain higher levels of manganese and the hormone prolactin, and this contributes in a reduction of both of these in the body; thus helping to keep depression away. Many people have found that crying actually calms them after being upset, and this is in part due to the chemicals and hormones that are released in the tears. How then actually do we cry? The psychic tears (or emotional tears) require an emotional response, or trigger to be activated. This response can be caused by an outside source, either pain or loss of love, etc., or from an inside source (self-realization of one's life and others). When emotions affect us, the nervous system stimulates the cranial nerve, in the brain and this sends signals to the neurotransmitters to the tear glands. Thus, we cry .The largest tear gland, the lacrimal gland produces the tears of emotion and reflex. Many believe that the body, in times of emotional stress, depends on this gland to release excess amounts of chemicals and hormones, returning it to a stable state.
Showing posts with label Animal Behaviour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animal Behaviour. Show all posts
Why do we yawn?
No one knows why we yawn. There are lots of theories, some talk about it signalling tiredness or getting oxygen to the brain, others mention clearing out stale air from the lungs and reducing blood carbon dioxide levels. It’s widely assumed that yawning occurs because we are tired or bored or because we see someone else doing it, but there isn’t any hard evidence to support these beliefs. Scientists do not purport to know all of the biological mechanisms of the yawn, but tend to agree that a yawn is an involuntary respiratory reflex, which regulates the carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood.Technically, a yawn is the reflex opening of the mouth followed by the deep inhalation and slow exhalation of oxygen. you inhale oxygen and your body uses it up. The body makes a waste product called as carbon dioxide that is exhaled from the lungs when you breathe out. Scientists speculate that the onset of a yawn is triggered either by fatigue, or by sheer boredom as, at those times, breathing is shallow, and little oxygen is carried to the lungs by the oxygen-toting cardiovascular system. When you are sleepy, bored or tired, you breathe more slowly. Your body requires oxygen and needs to throw out the carbon dioxide. So, your brain makes you take an extra breath, which is deep and long called a yawn, so that you can take in more of oxygen and give out carbon dioxide fully. We know it's involuntary because we do it even before we are born. Research shows that 11-week-old fetuses yawn. when it is a well-known fact that they do not intake oxygen into their lungs until after live birth. Senju and colleagues from the University of Tokyo showed videos of people yawning or making mouth movements to 24 children with autism spectrum disorder and to 25 non-ASD children. Both groups of children yawned the same number of times while watching the video of general mouth movements, but the non-ASD children yawned more when watching the video of people yawning. Explains Senju, “Our study confirms the prediction of ‘empathy theory’, by demonstrating that individuals with autism. None of this answers the question of why do we yawn in the first place? The empathy angle perhaps points to an ancient benefit in group behaviour, but what that benefit is, science does not yet know.
Are humans the only animals who can think?
Before one can answer this question, one must define what is meant by thought.Thought can be defined in several ways: is it philosophical rumination or the processing of perceptions of the natural world? Because we are still trying to translate animal communication into human language, it is difficult to provide definitive proof ofphilosophical thought processes. Current studies by animal behaviorists indicate that animals that have a varied social life (such as chimpanzees) perceive the world inways similar to humans. However, since we do not share a common verbal language with animals, it is impossible to know what they are thinking.
What hormone can be used to overcome jet lag?
Jet lag occurs when an individual’s biological clock is out of sync with local time. As a general rule it takes about a day for each hour of time zone change to recover from jet lag. Melatonin, available as a dietary supplement, is sometimes used to induce sleep when traveling. It is more useful when traveling east and may be taken before, during, or after traveling. It is best taken approximately five to seven hours before the usual bedtime in the old time zone. Travelers should consult their physicians before using melatonin. It is not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women and children.
Are humans the only animals who can think?
Before one can answer this question, one must define what is meant by thought. Thought can be defined in several ways: is it philosophical rumination or the processing of perceptions of the natural world? Because we are still trying to translate animal communication into human language, it is difficult to provide definitive proof of philosophical thought processes. Current studies by animal behaviorists indicate that animals that have a varied social life (such as chimpanzees) perceive the world in ways similar to humans. However, since we do not share a common verbal language with animals, it is impossible to know what they are thinking.
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