Stuff You Should Know SYSK Selects: What Makes us Yawn?
Jul 6, 2019
Delve into the quirky science of yawning and why it's such a universal behavior. Discover the amusing myths and theories, including its contagious nature that seems to connect us on an empathetic level. Explore intriguing connections between yawning and autism, revealing how social cues play a role. Uncover the historical significance and physiological aspects, all while enjoying playful insights about how our pets react. This light-hearted journey through yawning offers laughs and intriguing facts that might just make you yawn!
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The Mystery of Yawning
- Yawning is a universal human behavior, yet its purpose remains a scientific mystery.
- Even after centuries of study, researchers still lack a definitive explanation for why we yawn.
Yawning and Oxygen
- Yawning is involuntary and observed in fetuses as early as 11 weeks.
- This disproves the theory that yawning serves primarily to increase oxygen intake.
Physiology of Yawning
- Yawning involves a complex physiological process, including opening the mouth, inhaling, and flexing abdominal muscles.
- It also triggers activity in certain brain regions and neurotransmitters like dopamine.