Member-only story
Why We Yawn
Understanding the surprising physiology and psychology of yawning
Yawning is a natural part of everyday life, yet this simple phenomenon has some rather curious and mysterious features.
To help you learn more about yawning, Dr. Sujay Kansagra, a sleep health consultant for Mattress Firm and the director of Duke University’s Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program, offers answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Why do I yawn?
This simple question does not yet have a simple answer. However, there are a handful of popular theories. For example, yawning may increase the body’s oxygen levels and help get rid of carbon dioxide. Alternatively, it may serve an evolutionary role in which yawning was used to show teeth and intimidate others. More recent theories suggest that yawning may help cool the brain in situations when it gets too hot. No theory has been proven correct.
