ELI5 Crying - why do we cry with both sadness and joy?

ELI5 Crying - why do we cry with both sadness and joy?

Author: ELI5 Explain Like I'm Five Podcast March 6, 2026 Duration: 8:25
Why is crying so much more than just being sad? Why do your lungs perform those jerky gasps once the actual sobbing stops? Why does that painful "lump" form in our throats when the glottis tries to stay open for oxygen while we're trying to swallow? How do emotional tears differ chemically from the ones we use for onions, and do they actually "flush" stress hormones out of the body? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: previous-change-4346, josvan135, gynoceros, nimo01, manatee3232, mike2220, tstack123 and lohborn To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Ever find yourself wondering about something seemingly simple, but the answers online are full of jargon? That's where ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about-in a mini podcast comes in. Each episode grabs a curious question-maybe why the sky is blue, how electricity actually works, or the history behind a common tradition-and breaks it down into clear, digestible pieces. The aim is genuine understanding, not just a quick fact. Sourced from the vibrant curiosity of the Reddit community, this podcast transforms those everyday "how" and "why" mysteries into short, focused conversations. You'll hear about topics spanning science, culture, society, and our planet, all explained as if to a bright five-year-old, which turns out to be the perfect clarity level for anyone. It’s for the casually inquisitive, the lifelong learner, or anyone who just wants a straightforward answer without the lecture. Tune in for a few minutes and come away a little more informed about the world, one simple explanation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast
Podcast Episodes
ELI5 LiDAR - how it sees the world? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:37
What is LiDAR? Why is it helpful in addition to seeing things through cameras? How does LiDAR time-of-flight measure distance when light travels so fast—what tricks give picosecond precision? Why can LiDAR detect single-…
ELI5 Deck of Cards - why 52 playing cards and why so mysterious? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:23
How did we end up with the deck of cards that we use today? Did the standard 52-card deck derive from Tarot cards, and what does that mean for gameplay? Is it true that shuffling a deck creates a unique order that has li…
ELI5 Gout - what is it and why is the big toe a target? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:06
What is gout, and how does it uniquely affect your body compared to other forms of arthritis? Why does gout primarily affect the big toe? How do uric acid crystals form, and what role do diet and lifestyle play in this p…
ELI5 Rubiks Cubes - how do some people solve it in seconds? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:48
How do competitive solvers manage to solve a Rubik's Cube in under 10 seconds, and what techniques do they use? What is the relationship between memorization and pattern recognition for record-breaking cube solvers? How…
ELI5 Toilets - why are public toilets tankless unlike those at home? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:46
Why do home toilets typically have tanks, while public toilets often don't? What are some benefits of tankless toilets in public spaces from a design perspective? What is the S bend there for and how has this toilet desi…
ELI5 Wine - which came first, wine or beer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:15
Which came first, wine or beer? Is it true that the birthplace of wine is Georgia, not France or Italy? Can any wine truly age forever, or does it have a finite lifespan where quality peaks and then diminishes? Why did C…
ELI5 Beer - why it was central to historical society? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:13
How did ancient sailors rely on beer for hydration? What does history tell us about alcohol's role in survival? Why was beer so essential for laborers in ancient Egypt, especially during pyramid construction? Why is beer…
ELI5 Induction Stoves - are they really faster than gas stoves? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:07
Are induction stoves quicker than gas stoves? How does using an induction stove compare to using gas or conventional electric stoves? What is the secret behind how induction stoves can boil water so quickly? Can you expl…