Do you really know? Why is yawning contagious?
Jun 5, 2025
Ever wondered why yawning is so contagious? This discussion dives into the science behind this curious reflex, revealing its involuntary nature and links to empathy. Historical misunderstandings of yawning are explored, along with its role in regulating brain temperature. You’ll learn why we might yawn when someone else does, even if we’re not sleepy. Unravel the social intricacies of this common behavior and discover how it connects us across different species!
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Yawning as a Reflex
- Yawning is an involuntary reflex that starts before birth and occurs 5 to 20 times daily on average.
- It mobilizes respiratory, face, and neck muscles and correlates with relaxation and wellbeing.
Yawning Regulates Brain Temperature
- Yawning does not primarily serve to bring more oxygen into the body as once believed.
- It likely helps regulate brain temperature, dropping when the brain slows down due to tiredness or boredom.
Contagious Yawning and Empathy
- Contagious yawning is observed in humans and other social animals, possibly to synchronize group behavior.
- It's linked to empathy, mirror neurons, and possibly oxytocin levels, which may explain reduced yawning mimicry in autism.