Why Do We Yawn? Explore the Science Behind It!

Yawning is an involuntary reflex that involves opening the mouth, inhaling, stretching the eardrums, and then taking a hasty breath out. Scientifically, we yawn mainly to control the temperature in the brain, maintain alertness and to allow more oxygenated blood to flow in the body instead of simply responding to a decrease in oxygen.

We do it when we get up, when we are bored, but oddly enough, we do it even when we read the word yawn. But did you know what actually triggers this reflex?

Let us explore the scientific reason behind yawning.

The Science Behind Yawning

The theory that was used until recently was that yawning served to attract more oxygen into our bodies when we were breathing more slowly. This myth of a lack of oxygen has been greatly refuted by modern science. Rather, scientists attribute it to brain thermoregulation.

The most scientifically supported physiological role of yawning is thermoregulation of the brain. As ambient temperatures or brain temperatures increase (with fatigue) the deep breathing in of ambient air during a yawn allows convective cooling of the cerebral cortex

Just imagine a cooling fan of a computer. When we yawn, huge quantities of air is consumed, along with the enlargement of the jaw, raising the volume of blood in the face and neck, which forces cooler blood to the reach the brain.

Why Is Yawning Contagious?

You might have noticed that when you see someone yawning, you start yawning yourself. Studies have shown that when watching, hearing, or even reading about yawning, up to 50 percent of adults will find themselves contagiously yawning.

Neurologists attribute this phenomenon to human empathy and a motor mimicry. Mirror neurons in our brain cause contagious yawning both when we do something ourselves and when we see someone doing it. It is an evolutionary social signal that can coordinate the actions and vigilance of a group.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why do we yawn when we are tired?

When you are sleep-deprived, it increases core temperature in the brain. Yawning is an automatic cooling system, and the spike of alertness it causes lasts just long enough to keep you awake.

2. How many times a day is normal to yawn?

A human being on average yawns 5 to 15 times a day. Yawning while overly active may indicate a medical condition, sometimes without apparent exhaustion, and it may be an overactivity effect of a medicine as well.

3. Do other animals yawn?

Yes, yawning is observed in many vertebrate species such as dogs, cats, chimpanzees, even fish. Surprisingly, fetuses have been known to yawn in the womb as early as 11 weeks in gestation.

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