Veda #59 : Yaaaawn...

Day 59
"Why do we yawn, and why other people start yawning if someone is yawning in front of them?"
Okay, like usual. Late night post, i'm yawning so much because it's already late. Most of you probably already knew that if we yawn, it's a sign that our brain is lacking oxygen. So medically, yawning is not a sign of sleepy. But did you know why if we yawn, some other people that sees us will start yawning too? (although it's not whole people, but it's much more likely they'll yawn too)

One is that when we are bored or tired, we just don't breathe as deeply as we usually do. As this theory goes, our bodies take in less oxygen because our breathing has slowed. Therefore, yawning helps us bring more oxygen into the blood and move more carbon dioxide out of the blood.
Yawning, then, would be an involuntary reflex (something we can't really control) to help us control our oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Sounds good, but other studies have shown that breathing more oxygen does not decrease yawning. Likewise, breathing more carbon dioxide does not increase yawning. Hmmm. Now what?

Another theory is that yawning stretches the lungs and lung tissue. Stretching and yawning may be a way to flex muscles and joints, increase heart rate, and feel more awake.

Other people believe that yawning is a protective reflex to redistribute the oil-like substance called surfactant that helps keep lungs lubricated inside and keeps them from collapsing. So, if we didn't yawn, according to this theory, taking a deep breath would become harder and harder, and that would not be good

But there is one idea about yawning that everyone knows to be true. It seems contagious. If you yawn in room, you'll probably notice a few other people will start yawning, too. Even thinking about yawning can get you yawning. No one knows for sure, but a study published in a recent issue of the journal Cognitive Brain Research theorizes that yawning in response to someone else’s yawn may be an empathetic response, similar to laughter.

How many times have you yawned while reading this article?