Scientists have long puzzled over the purpose of yawning, a behavior that is shared by all vertebrates. While many people believe that yawning is linked to respiration and oxygen levels in the blood, research suggests that this may not be the case.
In fact, studies have shown that manipulating oxygen levels and carbon dioxide levels in the air do not affect the regularity of yawns. Additionally, yawning does not seem to be affected by breathing or lung function problems, which would lead one to expect a clear respiratory connection.
So, what is yawning about? According to Professor Andrew Gallup at Johns Hopkins University, yawning may actually have a circulatory effect on the skull. By opening and closing the jaw, yawns can create a localized stretch that increases arterial blood supply to the cranium and helps regulate heat in and around the skull.
When we're hot or cold, our brain's temperature is affected, which in turn affects our behavior. Yawning may help to mitigate this by cooling the brain through evaporation and convection as it takes in air. This theory has been supported by studies that show a link between ambient temperature and yawn frequency, with more frequent yawning when it gets too hot.
Moreover, certain medical conditions are associated with excess yawning, which is thought to be linked to elevated brain or body temperatures. In animal studies, the brains of mammals and birds with more neurons tend to yawn for longer periods, regardless of their actual brain size.
While this theory provides a plausible explanation for yawning, it's not the only one. The arousal change theory suggests that yawning helps the brain transition between states, such as from sleep to wakefulness or boredom to alertness. This could involve mechanisms related to the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid and temperature regulation in the brain.
Interestingly, contagious yawning - where one person yawns and others follow - may also play a role in group coordination and social bonding. Some researchers believe that seeing someone else yawn triggers mirror neurons, which fire when an individual performs an action or sees someone else perform it. This could help animals switch states and become more alert.
In conclusion, yawning is likely to serve multiple purposes, from regulating brain temperature to promoting social bonding. So the next time you find yourself yawning uncontrollably in a room full of people, it's not just because you're bored or tired - it might be something more complex at play.
In fact, studies have shown that manipulating oxygen levels and carbon dioxide levels in the air do not affect the regularity of yawns. Additionally, yawning does not seem to be affected by breathing or lung function problems, which would lead one to expect a clear respiratory connection.
So, what is yawning about? According to Professor Andrew Gallup at Johns Hopkins University, yawning may actually have a circulatory effect on the skull. By opening and closing the jaw, yawns can create a localized stretch that increases arterial blood supply to the cranium and helps regulate heat in and around the skull.
When we're hot or cold, our brain's temperature is affected, which in turn affects our behavior. Yawning may help to mitigate this by cooling the brain through evaporation and convection as it takes in air. This theory has been supported by studies that show a link between ambient temperature and yawn frequency, with more frequent yawning when it gets too hot.
Moreover, certain medical conditions are associated with excess yawning, which is thought to be linked to elevated brain or body temperatures. In animal studies, the brains of mammals and birds with more neurons tend to yawn for longer periods, regardless of their actual brain size.
While this theory provides a plausible explanation for yawning, it's not the only one. The arousal change theory suggests that yawning helps the brain transition between states, such as from sleep to wakefulness or boredom to alertness. This could involve mechanisms related to the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid and temperature regulation in the brain.
Interestingly, contagious yawning - where one person yawns and others follow - may also play a role in group coordination and social bonding. Some researchers believe that seeing someone else yawn triggers mirror neurons, which fire when an individual performs an action or sees someone else perform it. This could help animals switch states and become more alert.
In conclusion, yawning is likely to serve multiple purposes, from regulating brain temperature to promoting social bonding. So the next time you find yourself yawning uncontrollably in a room full of people, it's not just because you're bored or tired - it might be something more complex at play.
they actually do have some pretty cool functions like regulating brain temp and helping us cope with stress 
maybe we shouldnt just yawn away when were feeling meh...
when we get too hot. Yawning could be like a mini-vacation for our craniums 
. Like, we've been trying to figure out its purpose for ages and now we have like 5 different theories? Can't we just stick to one explanation already? The circulatory effect theory is cool and all, but what about the arousal change theory? Doesn't that make sense too? And don't even get me started on contagious yawning - it's just a fancy way of saying "we're all bored and tired together". I mean, have you ever noticed how whenever everyone in the room starts yawning, like, all at once? It's not because we're suddenly more alert or anything. Let's just accept that yawning is just one of those weird human things we do without fully understanding it 
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. I'm still not convinced that this is the only explanation for all the weird stuff people do when they're hot or cold 
. And what's with contagious yawning? Is everyone just gonna start yawning at each other like we're in some sort of weird group hug 
? Give me a break 
. But I guess it's kinda interesting that scientists are finally making some progress on this whole thing 
. Just don't expect me to start yawn-ing along with the rest of you anytime soon 
! Like, who knew that the answer wasn't about oxygen levels? I mean, I used to think it was all about how our brain is hot and we need to cool down #YawningMysterySolved. But now it makes sense - like, when you're feeling overheated, a yawn could be your body's way of saying "hey, chill out" 
. And the fact that contagious yawning might be about social bonding? 
That's actually kind of cool #SocialYawning. I guess we'll never know for sure what yawns are all about, but it's fun to speculate 
.
As for contagious yawning, I think that's where it gets really interesting - like, our brains are wired to respond to each other's actions and emotions, right? 
Anyway, I'm glad scientists are still puzzling over this stuff - keeps us guessing and stuff 
And what about the whole contagious thing - are we really talking mirror neurons here? That sounds like some sci-fi stuff 
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but also i guess its more than that 2. idk how many theories there are now lol maybe we'll never really know wut it is 4 real tho 
and how it affects our behavior. like if we're too hot, yawns help cool us down kinda like a built-in AC unit 
. and get this - some ppl with medical conditions do more yawning when they're feeling icky 
. so yeah, maybe that uncontrollable yawn u had in class wasn't just boredom-induced lol. it's all about our brain chemistry and stuff