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A/C for your brain
By Linda | January 14, 2009
There is still so much that science does not understand about human physiology and behavior.
Up until a new study was released last month, it was still undetermined what purpose yawning served. Now it seems that based on controlled observations of Australian Parakeets (they have relatively large brains), it has been theorized that the function of yawning seems to be cooling off the brain.
Our brains, and those of animals operate optimally within a given temperature range. If heat builds up in the brain and surrounding tissues, cognitive capacity is diminished which is a disadvantage in a survival situation as well as during a calculus exam. When the brain reaches a temperature that exceeds the optimal level, a deep intake of air through the mouth provides a quick and effective means to cool down the grey matter.
Read more about this study at Discovery News
Most vertebrates (even aquatic species) yawn and some of the more social ones exhibit contagious yawning. It is now thought that this behavior may encourage individuals in a group to remain aware and alert to danger.
How contagious is yawning?
Humans catch yawns from each other 45% to 60% of the time. Some species can even catch yawns from other species. In one study, dogs caught yawns from humans at a rate of 72%! It’s thought that this high “infection rate” is due to the fact that dogs are so highly empathetic to humans.
CLICK HERE to read more about inter-species yawning contagion.
Topics: Animal Kingdom, Health & the Human Body, In the News, Nature, Science Factoids |
