“The real answer so far is we don’t really know why we yawn,” Dr. Adrian Guggisberg, professor of clinical neuroscience at the University of Geneva, told The New York Times. “No physiological effect of yawning has been observed so far, and that’s why we speculate. It’s possible yawning doesn’t really have a physiological effect.” That said, there are theories to as to why people yawn, including that yawning is contagious. (We bet you yawned just reading up to this point already, didn’t you?) Find out theories of why we yawn, what experts think just might be the main cause of yawning, whether yawning is actually a sign of low oxygen levels, and more.
Why do people yawn?
There are a number of factors that go into yawning—and yes, one of them is that it’s contagious! One study from Baylor University revealed that if you yawn when other people yawn (and vice versa), it’s a sign of bonding and a display of empathy. “The more people are susceptible to contagious yawning, the better their social competence and empathy,” University of Geneva physician Adrian G. Guggisberg, MD, told WebMD. “In humans, it is clear that yawning has a social effect. It is probably an unconscious behavior. It is not clear what yawning communicates or what it achieves. But clearly, it transmits some information that has some effect on brain networks or behavior.” That said, emotional connections aren’t the only reason people yawn. In fact, there are a lot of different reasons we yawn, least of all of which is boredom. Common causes are brain temperature regulation, stretching your lungs, trying to wake yourself up, and changes in elevation (yawning helps your brain regular ear pressure, according to The Cleveland Clinic). That said, boredom may play a role for certain individuals, but not directly: If you’re bored, you may start to feel sleepy, which may then trigger a yawn in the body’s attempt to wake yourself up.
What is the main cause of yawning?
The main cause of yawning is believed to be as a means of cooling the brain, according to 2014 a study from Physiology & Behavior. Individuals were found to yawn less during the winter than they did in warmer seasons. According to Healthline, the second main cause of yawning is likely trying to wake one’s self up or trying to stay awake when you’re tired: Yawning stretches your lungs and facial muscles and may increase circulation to your brain and your face, which may make you feel more alert. “Collectively, these patterns of behavior increase blood flow to the skull, which can have a number of effects, one of which is cerebral cooling,” Dr. Andrew Gallup, assistant professor of psychology at the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, told The New York Times. “When our body temperature is warmer, we feel more tired and sleepy, and it could be that evening yawns are triggered to try to antagonize sleep onset, so we yawn at night in an attempt to maintain some state of arousal or alertness.” Whether you’re tired from a lack of sleep the night before, or uninterested in whatever you’re supposed to be paying attention to, the result tends to be the same: an inability to concentrate on the task at hand. Meredith Broderick, MD, sleep medicine physician and founder of Sound Sleep Guru, explains, “Yawning is a semi-voluntary reflex to help maintain wakefulness and alertness,” which is why “it often happens when a person is bored or sleepy." Yawning is the body’s way of waking you up again to focus on the task at hand. By yawning, we take in a great big gulp of air, which provides the body with extra oxygen. Coupled with stretching, this provides stimulation which Dr. Broderick says “is the basis for how it helps facilitate staying awake.” The act of stretching while yawning is called pandiculation. Yawning is a behavior that’s deeply rooted inside us. “The pathway for yawning is based in an area of the brain called the brainstem where a lot of primitive functions are seated,” Dr. Broderick says.
Is yawning due to a lack of oxygen?
Thankfully, no, yawning isn’t a sign of a lack of oxygen—or else a lot of us would be in big trouble! While this was a common belief almost forever, a 1987 study revealed once and for all that yawning has nothing to do with oxygen levels. With that, you can breathe a big sigh of relief!
Why can’t I stop yawning?
Most people yawn between five and 10 times per day, according to The Sleep Foundation. The most common causes of excessive yawning can include tiredness or drowsiness, but if you’re regularly yawning more than 10 times a day, be absolutely certain to see a doctor, as excessive yawning can be signs of other issues, including sleep apnea, insomnia, or narcolepsy. Other causes of excessive yawning may include neurological disorders or other brain-related conditions, including multiple sclerosis and migraines, as well as head trauma, epilepsy, and stroke. Certain medications, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can also cause yawning as a side effect. Be sure to mention to your doctor if you’re taking any medications, as that can impact your diagnosis and treatment.
How do I stop yawning?
The quickest, easiest fix to stop yawning is to catch some ZZZs. If that doesn’t help, talk to your doctor to determine the underlying cause of your yawning — because until that is narrowed down and properly diagnosed, you may not be able to correct it. Next, find out exactly how many hours of sleep you really need each night—according to experts! With reporting by Maryn Liles.
