Why Do You Yawn?

 

The simple answer: we’re not sure. Clearly yawning is a regular part of life, but studies still haven’t arrived at a definitive reason as to why you yawn. There are a few theories that are assumed more than others, one being to increase oxygen to the brain. This theory states that as your breathing slows, you have not received enough oxygen so your body yawns in order to increase oxygen to the brain. But again, that’s just one theory.

A recent study has suggested that you actually yawn in order to regulate your brain’s temperature. You operate best when your brain is at the right temperature. It’s suggested that you yawn in order to cool your brain off so that it can operate properly.

Whether it’s to increase oxygen or to regulate your brain’s temperature (or something else entirely), why we yawn will have to just remain a mystery for now.

 

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Teach & Learn, SleepErin Shellenbergersleep, yawn, breathing, brain