Ok, so why is yawning contagious?
2006-09-05 08:38:28 · 4 answers · asked by Sheri A 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
lol....thats too funny! but you know when I sneeze my daughter does it soon after me....must be some dust in the air
2006-09-05 08:41:04 · answer #1 · answered by baseballmommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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 (say: sur-fak-tunt) 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!
2006-09-05 15:56:08 · answer #2 · answered by geturspinenline 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, but it isn't just among humans. I can fake a yawn when my cat is watching and she'll yawn too. (-:
2006-09-05 15:45:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
shoot yourself
2006-09-05 15:45:31 · answer #4 · answered by jack_daniels 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋