Why Does Crying Give You a Headache? Experts Weigh In

There's something so cathartic about a good cry session. Sometimes it's nice to release all those pent-up emotions, and according to Harvard Health , crying can actually be quite cleansing. But while crying can help us process emotions, work through grief , and even relieve stress , the aftermath can be seriously uncomfortable.

Among the more common post-cry sesh symptoms are puffiness, a runny nose, and arguably the most painful of all: headaches. If you've ever bawled your eyes out, odds are you've experienced a taste of post-cry headaches. We're talking about the instances where you find yourself reaching for a wet washcloth or pain reliever — anything to stop the pounding in your head.

But why does crying give you a headache in the first place? And more importantly — how do you stop it (quickly)? To find out more, we spoke with doctors about the science behind post-cry headaches and proper cry sesh aftercare. Read on for expert advice that'll help keep your crying pain-free. Natasha Bhuyan , MD, is the West Coast regional medical director at One Medical .

Javeed Siddiqui , MD, MPH, is the co-founder and chief medical officer at TeleMed2U . Why Does Crying Give You a Headache? Although research is still relatively new, crying can definitely be stressful on the body, which is one reason why doctors think it causes headaches. "Crying can result from stress, which can cause the body to release stress hormones, including cortisol ," says Javeed Siddiqui, MD, MPH.

"These st.