When we cry emotional tears, the limbic and lacrimal systems collaborate. The limbic system, aka the part of your brain dealing with raw emotions, gets aroused when certain emotions are high. The limbic system triggers the Pons, a part of the brainstem, aka the "message station." It sends the message to the tear duct to produce tears. Scientists say that stress hormones released in tears may help regulate the body, as a part of the homeostasis process.