Why Do We Yawn? The Real Reason Might Surprise You
Everyone yawns — when you’re sleepy, bored, or even just seeing someone else do it. But why do we yawn?
Cooling the Brain
One major theory says yawning helps cool down the brain. When you yawn, you take in a deep breath of air, which helps reduce your brain’s temperature. A cooler brain stays alert and works better.
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
Another idea is that yawning helps bring in more oxygen and release carbon dioxide. But scientists now think this theory doesn’t explain everything, especially why yawns are contagious.
Why Is Yawning Contagious?
Seeing or even thinking about yawning can make you do it too. That’s because of mirror neurons — special brain cells that mimic the behavior of others. It may be a leftover trait from evolution to help groups stay in sync.
Final Thought
So, why do we yawn? The full answer is still a mystery — but it likely helps your brain stay sharp, balanced, and in tune with others.