Why we yawn: To cool our brains
By Jennifer Viegas

updated 3:25 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 15, 2008

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If your head is overheated, there's a good chance you'll yawn soon, according to a new study that found the primary purpose of yawning is to control brain temperature.

The finding solves several mysteries about yawning, such as why it's most commonly done just before and after sleeping, why certain diseases lead to excessive yawning, and why breathing through the nose and cooling off the forehead often stop yawning.

The key yawn instigator appears to be brain temperature.

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If air in the atmosphere is cooler than brain and body temperatures, taking it in quickly cools facial blood that, in turn, cools the brain and may even alter blood flow. Prior studies reveal yawning leads to a heightened state of arousal, so a morning yawn may function somewhat like a cup of coffee in providing a jolt of energy.

The new findings also explain why tired individuals often yawn, since both exhaustion and sleep deprivation have been shown to increase deep brain temperatures, again prompting a yawn-driven cool down. Yawning additionally appears to facilitate transitional states of the brain, such as going from sleep to waking periods.

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"It is interesting to note that instances of excessive yawning in humans may be indicative of brain cooling problems," Gallup, Jr., told Discovery News, pointing out that patients with multiple sclerosis often experience bouts of excessive yawning "and MS involves thermoregulatory dysfunction."

He added, "Bouts of excessive yawning often precede the onset of seizures in epileptic patients, and predict the onset of headaches in people who suffer from migraines."

In the future, researchers may focus more on brain temperature and its role in diseases and their symptoms. But the new study on yawning changes the popular notion that yawns are mere signs of boredom.

On the contrary, as Gallup said, "yawning more accurately reflects a mechanism that maintains attention, and therefore should be looked at as a compliment!"

For the full article, click here

Interesting! <<tmbup>>

Now that was interesting!

<*YAWN*>

Ugh!

Sometimes it's "Good morning, Lord."

Other times it's "Good Lord, morning!"


Interesting article, but I have a question. If yawning can be partly related to brain temperature, why is it that I don't yawn during the summer, when it's 117 degrees (F) outside? (47C)

your brain has to be active to need cooling down :P :P :P <ducit>

I have a feeling the air isn't cooler than your brain in such circumstances!

Your body is very good at thermoregulation, thats why.