Ive always heard that yawns are contagious, and every time i see someone yawn, I yawn. Are they really contagious? and if so, why?
2006-08-30 17:05:34 · 14 answers · asked by ? 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
i always wondered that,, cuz doctors say you yawn cuz your brain need oxygen, but how would that be contagious,,, its weird
2006-08-30 17:09:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you what killed the yawn response in me!
30 years ago, I was working as a nurse's aide in a nursing home. Part of my duties were getting the residents fed in the morning, bathed and their rooms cleaned. I was feeding one old lady some of this disgusting looking gruel somewhat like porridge, but made with more grains than oats. I put a spoon full of porridge in this woman's mouth and I had just noticed that there were bugs in the bowl (like weevils), when this woman yawned. I was already upset enough about the bugs, but to see them sitting on her tongue while she yawned wide just thoroughly disgusted me. I had started to yawn as a response to her yawn, but when the disgust struck it was like a switch was clicked off.
I haven't responded to a yawn since, although I do still yawn on my own occasionally.
And yes, I did complain about the bugs, but the cook said that no residents were complaining, and she couldn't afford to just throw out the contaminated food.
2006-08-30 17:21:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They tested this theory on the show MythBusters. They had a group of random people come in and gave them a bogus reason for being there, and had one person working on the inside start a yawn, but it was busted the yawn wasn't contagious.
That's a great show by the way....If you haven't seen it I highly recommend watching it!!
2006-08-30 17:18:52 · answer #3 · answered by tashagrace24 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scientists still can't figure that one out. But they are not contageous. It is just that if one yawns, the person next to him will do the same. If I told you the truth of "why?" you would probably call me insane or crazy. Respond in your details if you want me to tell you or do want to let it just BE?
Indian Rockerchick is wrong because you can have your back turned and you would still yawn. Not knowing the person next to you just did. I changed my mind, just let it BE. And I thought oxygen was in our blood stream. To me, it seems more like stretching the brain than letting it get air.
2006-08-30 17:10:34 · answer #4 · answered by Mitchell B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because when you are tired and you see someone yawn it makes you feel even more tired and yawns make us feel better after wards so we pick it up after each other.
2006-08-30 17:07:52 · answer #5 · answered by BREATH NEVER PAUSE YOUR LUNGS!! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's one of those mysteries of science that may never be solved. Yawning is one way for your body to give off excess carbon dioxide which is what you breathe out normally.
2006-08-30 17:13:56 · answer #6 · answered by Richard B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they are! I just read this and I can't stop yawning now.
2006-08-30 17:08:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow just from reading your question i yawned. they are really contagious. lol
2006-08-30 17:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by Claire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is. The electrical signal of yawning is very strong and you cannot resist it
2006-08-30 17:12:41 · answer #9 · answered by AO 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they are and i don't understand this about yawning. Wish someone could explain this!
2006-08-30 17:34:41 · answer #10 · answered by cookiejar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋