While remaining asleep, a comatose patient may open his eyes, move, and even cry. His brain-stem reflexes are linked to a dormant cortex. Without reflection, reflex. Many doctors refer to this illness as a "persistent vegetative state." Others call it "locked-in syndrome" because the victim is conscious but unable to communicate. The patient in this situation cannot feel anything, but that does not mean that he is without emotion. Neurologists understand that patients in a coma remain conscious of their environment and can experience pain, discomfort, and anxiety just like anyone else. In fact, recent research has shown that they can also experience joy, fear, and love. The problem is that they are unable to communicate these feelings to others. Some people may wonder if crying while unconscious is normal or not. Science has some answers for us! Research shows that healthy individuals will wake up with reddened faces, swollen eyes, and heavy lungs due to stress hormones released during emotional episodes. These people then need time to recover before returning to work or school. Coma patients cannot release these kinds of hormones so they must be taken off of work duties and given opportunities to relax themselves before being tested again. In conclusion, an unconscious person can cry. It's just that there's no way for them to show it.