Can tears affect testosterone levels?

Tears can indeed affect testosterone levels. According to Andrew Huberman, studies have demonstrated that when men smell women's tears, they experience a notable reduction in free testosterone—about a 14% drop—which occurs within approximately 20-30 minutes. This effect happens even though the tears are odorless, indicating a powerful chemosensory response 1 2.

Furthermore, this research highlights that such tears can also reduce brain activity related to sexual arousal and aggression in men, suggesting a broader impact on behavior 3. These findings underscore the intricate ways in which biological and chemical signals, such as tears, can influence hormonal and neural states in humans.