We yawn to cool our brains June 28, 2007
Posted by Al in : educational,interesting , trackbackHere’s an interesting take on why people yawn, and this theory also manages to explain why yawns can be so infectious. Apparently we yawn to increase the flow of cool air over the roof of the mouth and the back of the throat, which in turn helps to cool the brain down and so help stave off sleep, increase vigilance and so help the yawner, and their tribe, survive. I’m as happy with this theory as any other, and it certainly seems to make sense of why yawns are infectious, as this would be a group response to one member yawning, where all members of the group would also attempt to fend off the urge to sleep, and to increase their vigilance.
Comments»
no comments yet - be the first?