Yawning: Causes, Contagion, Brain Temperature, Empathy
This podcast provides a comprehensive look into yawning, an involuntary reflex experienced by humans and many animals. It explores leading theories on its causes, primarily brain temperature regulation to cool the brain and increasing alertness or waking the body from tiredness or boredom. The phenomenon of contagious yawning is discussed, often linked to empathy and social bonding or synchronized responses to shared environments. It also addresses instances of excessive yawning as a potential sign of sleep deprivation or various underlying neurological conditions and other serious health issues, highlighting when medical consultation is advised.
0.000000 6.000000 Welcome to everyday explained your daily 20-minute dive into the fascinating house and wise of the world around you.
6.000000 11.000000 I'm your host Chris and I'm excited to help you discover something new. Let's get started.
11.000000 15.000000 Okay, let's unpack this. Have you yawned yet?
15.000000 19.000000 Seriously, just thinking about yawning often makes me do it and you too probably.
19.000000 21.000000 Oh, absolutely. It's almost immediate.
21.000000 29.000000 It is. So today we're taking a deep dive into one of life's most common yet weirdly mysterious things.
29.000000 37.000000 The yawn. Our mission is basically to understand why we yawn, the, you know, surprising science behind it.
37.000000 42.000000 And of course tackle that big question. Is it actually contagious?
42.000000 44.000000 Yeah, that's the one everyone asks.
44.000000 48.000000 Right. Get ready for some unexpected facts and maybe a few chuckles along the way.
48.000000 54.000000 It's remarkable, isn't it? How something we all do, probably multiple times a day still holds so many secrets.
54.000000 63.000000 For something so common, the exact reasons remain a bit of a puzzle, but we do have some truly compelling theories now, things that go way beyond just being tired.
63.000000 70.000000 Yeah, and I was genuinely surprised when I learned this. Apparently yawning shows up as early as the 11th week of pregnancy.
70.000000 73.000000 Wow. Right there in the womb. I mean, think about that for a second.
73.000000 74.000000 That's incredible.
74.000000 81.000000 It's this fundamental reflex. You open your jaw wide, take a deep sort of slow breath in and then quickly exhale.
81.000000 92.000000 Usually last just a few seconds, maybe four to seven. And while it's mostly involuntary, you can sometimes sort of trick your body into doing one if you try hard enough.
92.000000 96.000000 Which naturally leads us to ask, well, what's really going on then?
96.000000 97.000000 Exactly.
97.000000 104.000000 Because for a long time, the main idea was that yawning helped us bring more oxygen into the body. That was the popular wisdom.
104.000000 117.000000 Right. I remember hearing that. But current research is largely thrown that one out the window. It's not just a minor update. It really changes how we think about it, especially considering, like you said, a fetus yawns.
117.000000 124.000000 And they're getting oxygen through the umbilical cord. So that completely debunks the oxygen theory right there.
117.000000 117.000000 Yeah.
124.000000 130.000000 Okay. So if it's not about oxygen, what is the leading theory? Because this next point, honestly, I kind of blew my mind.
130.000000 140.000000 Imagine your brain is like this high performance computer, right? And just like a computer needs a cooling fan, your brain might actually use yawning to regulate its temperature.
140.000000 142.000000 It's like a literal brain cooler.
142.000000 143.000000 Precisely.
143.000000 145.000000 That's the main hypothesis right now.
143.000000 143.000000 Yeah.
145.000000 154.000000 The active yawning brings in a large gulp of cooler ambient air, which then helps cool the blood vessels in your head and neck.
145.000000 145.000000 Yeah.
154.000000 160.000000 And it's not just the air either. The actual stretching of your facial muscles also helps ventilate your sinuses.
160.000000 161.000000 Oh, interesting.
161.000000 165.000000 Yeah, which further aids in cooling the brain. It's quite a neat mechanism, really.
165.000000 173.000000 And here's where it gets like really ingenious. I read about a 2014 study that observed people yawn less in winter.
173.000000 177.000000 That seems to directly support this whole brain cooling idea, doesn't it?
173.000000 173.000000 Right.
177.000000 182.000000 It really does. It's strong, correlational evidence. Plus, think about when your eyes water during a big yawn.
182.000000 184.000000 Yeah, always happens.
184.000000 188.000000 Well, that tear production might also help dissipate a little bit of heat.
188.000000 189.000000 Wow.
189.000000 191.000000 So we connect this to the bigger picture.
191.000000 196.000000 This theory links really nicely to why we yawn when we're tired or bored or even stressed.
196.000000 197.000000 Right.
197.000000 201.000000 Because those states are often associated with subtle temperature fluctuations in the brain.
201.000000 208.000000 So if your brain is maybe slowing down a bit from boredom or fatigue, its temperature might shift slightly.
208.000000 214.000000 Uh-huh. And a yawn acts as a quick reset, a way to regulate that temperature.
214.000000 217.000000 Okay, that makes a lot of sense. But then there's another idea too, right?
217.000000 218.000000 The sort of wake up call theory.
218.000000 221.000000 Yes, that's another fascinating possibility.
221.000000 225.000000 The idea that a yawn is your brain's own internal alarm clock almost.
225.000000 228.000000 Like hitting snooze, but the opposite.
228.000000 233.000000 Exactly. It's trying to jolt you awake. The motion itself stretches your lungs and other tissues.
233.000000 240.000000 It flexes muscles and joints, and it even forces blood towards your face and brain, which is thought to increase alertness.
240.000000 243.000000 So it actually does something physically stimulating.
243.000000 244.000000 It seems so.
244.000000 248.000000 It might even stimulate the carotid artery that's a major blood vessel in your neck.
248.000000 249.000000 Oh, right.
249.000000 257.000000 And stimulating that could lead to a slight increase in heart rate, nudging the brain into a more active state, an involuntary boost.
257.000000 264.000000 And speaking of boost, what about the whole ear popping thing? Have you ever tried to yawn to pop your ears on a plane?
264.000000 266.000000 Because I definitely have.
266.000000 268.000000 Oh, yeah. Classic move.
268.000000 270.000000 And there's actually some science to that, right?
270.000000 276.000000 There is. Yawns can open up your Eustachian tubes, which connect your middle ear to the back of your throat.
276.000000 278.000000 That helps regulate air pressure.
278.000000 279.000000 Okay.
279.000000 281.000000 So it can work for popping your ears.
281.000000 284.000000 Though, you know, swallowing usually does the trick, too.
284.000000 287.000000 Maybe not the main reason we yawn, then.
287.000000 290.000000 Probably more of a helpful side effect, rather than the primary driver.
290.000000 294.000000 And, you know, it's not just about tiredness or boredom either.
294.000000 297.000000 You might find yourself yawning when you're anxious or nervous.
297.000000 299.000000 Oh, really? Like before a presentation?
299.000000 302.000000 Exactly. Or even during a tough workout sometimes.
302.000000 309.000000 And certain medications, like SSRIs as a common antidepressants or even opiates, can actually cause increased yawning.
309.000000 310.000000 Huh.
310.000000 313.000000 I remember reading about athletes yawning right before a big game.
313.000000 317.000000 Always seemed weird, like they were sleepy, but maybe it's the stress.
317.000000 318.000000 That fits perfectly.
318.000000 321.000000 It could be the pre-game stress triggering that response.
321.000000 325.000000 It just shows yawning is more complex than just, you know, needing an app.
325.000000 326.000000 It really is.
326.000000 331.000000 And tying into that, some researchers even propose yawning could be a form of communication.
331.000000 332.000000 Communication.
332.000000 333.000000 How?
333.000000 335.000000 Well, maybe it's an ancient signal within a group.
335.000000 336.000000 Hmm.
336.000000 339.000000 Perhaps signaling boredom or stress, like we just mentioned.
339.000000 345.000000 Or maybe even a nonverbal cue to signal alertness, almost like a synchronized, "Hey, wake up."
345.000000 346.000000 Call for the group.
346.000000 347.000000 Wow. Okay.
347.000000 349.000000 A social signal.
349.000000 350.000000 Potentially.
350.000000 353.000000 Alright, now for the part that really tests your self-control.
353.000000 355.000000 We're about to talk about contagious yawning.
355.000000 357.000000 Chuckles. Uh-oh.
357.000000 358.000000 Here we go.
358.000000 360.000000 Seriously, try not to yawn as we discuss this.
360.000000 361.000000 It's a very real thing.
361.000000 367.000000 Seeing someone yawn or hearing it, or like we said, even just thinking about it, can trigger one in you.
367.000000 370.000000 Even watching videos of people yawning can set you off.
370.000000 371.000000 It's true.
371.000000 372.000000 And it's not just us humans either.
372.000000 376.000000 It's been observed in other social animals, chimpanzees, wolves, even dogs.
376.000000 378.000000 Our dogs definitely yawn when we do.
378.000000 379.000000 Yeah, it happens.
379.000000 384.000000 And what truly stands out here, the most widely discussed idea, is that if you catch a yawn,
384.000000 387.000000 it might actually be, well, a good sign.
387.000000 389.000000 A good sign.
389.000000 395.000000 Studies, like one from Baylor University, suggest it's potentially linked to empathy and social bonding.
395.000000 397.000000 Empathy. Really?
397.000000 403.000000 Yeah, the idea is that people who score higher on empathy tests tend to be more susceptible to contagious yawning.
403.000000 408.000000 And crucially, you're much more likely to catch a yawn from someone you're close to,
408.000000 411.000000 like friends or family, compared to a complete stranger.
411.000000 412.000000 Okay.
412.000000 417.000000 So the question becomes, is it a form of subconscious mirroring?
417.000000 423.000000 Where we unconsciously copy those we feel emotionally close to, sort of non-verbally showing our connection or empathy?
423.000000 429.000000 So if I'm sitting next to someone and they yawn and I don't yawn back, does that mean I'm some kind of empathy deprived robot?
429.000000 431.000000 Because I really hope not.
431.000000 432.000000 Chuckles, no.
432.000000 433.000000 No, definitely not.
433.000000 434.000000 That's important to stress.
434.000000 438.000000 Not catching a yawn absolutely doesn't mean you lack empathy or you're a sociopath or anything like that.
438.000000 439.000000 Okay.
439.000000 440.000000 Phew, that's a relief.
440.000000 447.000000 It's just one potential piece of a much larger, much more complex puzzle about social behavior and mirroring.
447.000000 449.000000 There's a lot going on there.
449.000000 450.000000 Right, right.
450.000000 452.000000 But wait, because there's a plot twist, isn't there?
452.000000 454.000000 Yes, there usually is in science.
454.000000 460.000000 Some research suggests contagious yawning might also be tied back to that brain temperature idea, not just empathy.
460.000000 461.000000 Exactly, that's another angle.
461.000000 467.000000 The thinking is, if you and I are both in the same room, we're likely experiencing similar ambient temperatures, right?
467.000000 468.000000 Sure makes sense.
468.000000 474.000000 So our brains might be attempting to regulate their temperature around the same time, using the same mechanism, the yawn.
474.000000 480.000000 It might look contagious, but it could just be a shared response to the same environmental cue.
480.000000 485.000000 So less about emotional connection, more about just being in the same warm room.
485.000000 486.000000 Potentially, yeah.
486.000000 487.000000 Less I feel you.
487.000000 488.000000 Right.
488.000000 489.000000 And more, it's kind of stuffy in here.
489.000000 490.000000 Okay, interesting contrast.
490.000000 492.000000 And there's even another perspective.
492.000000 499.000000 A study from, I think it was 2022, actually found that yes, people did yawn after seeing others yawn.
499.000000 504.000000 But the researchers argued it wasn't necessarily tied to an emotional or empathetic response.
504.000000 510.000000 Instead, they proposed it might be part of a more basic synchronized group behavior.
510.000000 513.000000 Synchronized behavior, like flocking birds.
513.000000 520.000000 Sort of, the idea is that maybe yawning helps alert or wake up the body, like we talked about earlier.
520.000000 529.000000 And maybe we respond to others yawning as a subconscious way to stay vigilant or protect ourselves or just stay in sync with the groups overall alertness level.
529.000000 535.000000 So it's less about feeling with them and more about staying sort of on the same pages them alertness-wise.
535.000000 536.000000 That's the idea.
536.000000 537.000000 Yeah.
537.000000 540.000000 It's another plausible explanation that doesn't rely purely on empathy.
540.000000 542.000000 So you see, it's still quite debated.
542.000000 543.000000 Clearly.
543.000000 545.000000 So, okay, let's bring this back to the listener.
545.000000 547.000000 What does this all mean for you?
547.000000 550.000000 You might be wondering, okay, I yawn sometimes, but am I yawning too much?
550.000000 552.000000 That's a common concern.
552.000000 553.000000 Yeah, so it's normal.
553.000000 559.000000 The average person apparently yawns about maybe nine times a day, though up to 20 is considered normal for some people.
559.000000 560.000000 Right, there's a range.
560.000000 570.000000 Excessive would be something like maybe more than three yawns every 15 minutes, happening several times a day, or just you feeling like it's way more than your usual pattern.
570.000000 578.000000 And a crucial point here is that while yawning is usually totally harmless, excessive yawning can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying condition.
578.000000 579.000000 Okay, so what kind of things?
579.000000 583.000000 Well, the most common causes are pretty straightforward.
583.000000 584.000000 Sleep deprivation is a big one.
584.000000 585.000000 Makes sense.
585.000000 592.000000 Yeah, whether that's from insomnia or maybe sleep apnea where your breathing is interrupted or just burning the candle at both ends, you know.
592.000000 593.000000 Sure.
593.000000 599.000000 Also, certain medications like we mentioned some SSRIs or opiates can cause it as a side effect.
599.000000 604.000000 Okay, but sometimes though it's rare, it can point to more serious stuff, right?
604.000000 605.000000 Exactly.
605.000000 606.000000 That's important to know.
606.000000 622.000000 More serious though, thankfully much rarer, possibilities could include certain neurological conditions, things like epilepsy, migraines, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or even in very rare cases, conditions like a stroke or a brain tumor.
622.000000 626.000000 It can also sometimes be related to heart conditions, maybe heart attack or bleeding around the heart.
626.000000 627.000000 Okay, that sounds serious.
627.000000 628.000000 Right.
628.000000 632.000000 So when should someone actually worry and see a doctor?
632.000000 637.000000 The key is really paying attention to your body and any accompanying symptoms.
637.000000 642.000000 You should definitely see a doctor if the yawning is excessive and it's really interfering with your daily life.
642.000000 643.000000 Gotcha.
643.000000 654.000000 Or importantly, if it's accompanied by other serious symptoms, things like numbness, weakness, sudden trouble speaking or walking, dizziness, or a really severe headache.
654.000000 662.000000 And obviously, if you suspect any signs of a stroke, face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, that's a medical emergency, call for help immediately.
662.000000 664.000000 Absolutely, crucial advice.
664.000000 670.000000 Okay, so on a lighter note, if your constant yawning is just starting to annoy you, or maybe the person sitting next to you.
670.000000 671.000000 Chuckles.
671.000000 672.000000 Yes.
672.000000 677.000000 Are there any like quick fixes besides getting more sleep, which is obvious if you're tired?
677.000000 681.000000 Yeah, if tiredness is the root cause, definitely work on sleep hygiene.
681.000000 688.000000 But for more immediate relief, try some deep breathing exercises specifically through your nose.
688.000000 695.000000 There was a study back in 2007 that actually found nasal breathing seemed to reduce contagious yawning completely.
695.000000 698.000000 Wow, really, just breathe through your nose.
698.000000 699.000000 Apparently worth the shot, right?
699.000000 700.000000 Totally.
700.000000 701.000000 What else?
701.000000 703.000000 You can also just, well, get moving.
703.000000 710.000000 If you're feeling tired or bored, sometimes just getting up, walking around for a few minutes can stimulate your brain enough to break the cycle.
710.000000 711.000000 And literally cool down.
711.000000 712.000000 Yeah.
712.000000 722.000000 If the brain cooling theory holds water, then taking a short walk outside, if it's cool, finding a cooler space or even grabbing a refreshing chilled snack could help.
722.000000 727.000000 Think cool fruit, or yes, maybe even some baby carrots, anything cool and crisp.
727.000000 729.000000 Baby carrots to stop yawning.
729.000000 730.000000 I love it.
730.000000 732.000000 Lasses, yeah, whatever works.
732.000000 736.000000 And what's also fascinating here is how many other little bodily quirks a yon can trigger?
736.000000 737.000000 Oh, yeah.
737.000000 738.000000 Like what?
738.000000 741.000000 Whatever, wonder why your eyes water when you have a big yon.
741.000000 742.000000 Yes, all the time.
742.000000 748.000000 It's because your facial muscles tense up and stretch, and they actually pull on your tear glands, squeezing at a few tears.
748.000000 749.000000 Oh, okay.
749.000000 752.000000 And what about ears hurting or popping?
752.000000 754.000000 That goes back to those eustachian tubes.
754.000000 758.000000 Yawning opens them, which can relieve pressure, like on a plane.
758.000000 762.000000 Or sometimes if they're a bit clogged or inflamed, it might cause a twinge of pain.
762.000000 763.000000 Makes sense.
763.000000 768.000000 There's even this phenomenon called stretch yawning syndrome, or the fancy term is "pandiculation."
768.000000 774.000000 That's when you instinctively stretch other parts of your body, like your arms or back during a yon.
774.000000 775.000000 Oh, I definitely do that.
775.000000 777.000000 The big morning stretch yon.
777.000000 778.000000 Exactly.
778.000000 781.000000 It's like your whole body saying, "Okay, time for a full system reset."
781.000000 792.000000 So it seems like a seemingly simple yon is actually this like complex dance of brain temperature, maybe an internal alarm clock, maybe even a mysterious social signal.
792.000000 793.000000 It sums it up pretty well.
793.000000 796.000000 Mostly it's just your body doing its thing, totally normal.
796.000000 802.000000 But remember, if it feels excessive, especially with other symptoms, it can be a signal to check in with your doctor.
802.000000 803.000000 Absolutely.
803.000000 805.000000 So here's a final thought.
805.000000 809.000000 The next time you see someone yon, or feel one coming on yourself.
809.000000 811.000000 What will you be thinking about?
811.000000 812.000000 Their brain temperature.
812.000000 815.000000 The empathy, potentially shared between you.
815.000000 817.000000 Or perhaps just, you know, how well rested they might be.
817.000000 818.000000 And maybe.
818.000000 822.000000 Hmm, what is your yon telling the world? Something to ponder.
822.000000 826.000000 Keep diving deep in curiosity, everyone, and we'll catch you on the next deep dive.
826.000000 829.000000 And that wraps up today's episode of Everyday Explained.
829.000000 832.000000 We love making sense of the world around you five days a week.
832.000000 837.000000 If you enjoyed today's deep dive, consider subscribing so you don't miss out on our next discovery.
837.000000 840.000000 I'm Chris, and I'll catch you in the next one.