Why Do we yawn?

[BullFX]

just wondering why we yawn? if its because we are in need of more oxygen then why do we yawn when we are sleepy? how come u can pass yawing to others??

what do u think guys?

[njjuicer]

yea thats crazy yawning is so contageous lol but it has to do with ur body reseeting its oxygen or sum shit i dotn exactly rememebr i sene ti on a question answer show but yawning is weird!

[YellowJacket]

Oh boy......brings back memories of brain physiology.....


The act of pandiculation (combination of yawning and stretching- Phys. professor used to say that to me a dozen times a week, for my look of boredom in class...another story).... happens in the brain's hypothalamus. If you remember your neurotransmitters, you remember dopamine, EAA & NA, well these play a role in yawning. Excessive yawning is due to vasovagal(think thats a word) reaction and could indicate a heart condition, so be aware!

And yes, its due to the lungs telling the brain it needs more oxygen, usually when you're bored, tired, or for some odd reason, see someone else yawn.

So I sit here, at nearly 3 in the morning, thinking and trying to remember discussion on yawning, well you justh eard all I can remember. So then I decided to search MEDLINE to see if any studies on yawning existed......


Sleep Med Rev 2001 Aug;5(4):299-312 Related Articles, Links


Yawning.

Daquin G, Micallef J, Blin O.

Clinical Pharmacology and CPCET, UMR CNRS FRE DPM, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France

YAWNING IS A COMMON PHYSIOLOGICAL EVENT THAT CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE DISTINCT PHASES: a long inspiratory phase, a brief acme and a rapid expiration. The aim of yawning is not yet well defined. However this semi-voluntary event increases vigilance and aims to alert when drowsiness occurs. Yawning probably has an important role for social communication as well. Yawning can be responsible for pain, luxation or even transient ischaemic attack. Abnormal yawning is present in various pathologies: migraine, Parkinson's disease, tumours, psychiatric diseases, infections or iatrogenic pathologies. The neuro-pharmacology of yawning is complex and knowledge of its mechanisms is incomplete. While under the control of several neurotransmitters, yawning is largely affected by dopamine. Dopamine may activate oxytocin production in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Oxytocin may then activate cholinergic transmission in the hippocampus and, finally, acetylcholine might induce yawning via the muscarinic receptors of the effectors. This is an over-simplification; many other molecules can modulate yawning, such as nitric oxide, glutamate, GABA, serotonin, ACTH, MSH, sexual hormones and opium derivate peptides. Dopamine involvement in yawning could have practical applications in the study of new drugs or the exploration of neurological diseases such as migraine or psychosis. 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd

[njjuicer]

thansk bro i needed all tha to go on with ym life



now ino!

[bigdude]

I yawn constantly

[njjuicer]

so do i but it has to do with me sleeping stupid hours and takin afew naps per day lol

[THE JUICE]

Originally posted by bigdude
I yawn constantly

same here

[bigdude]

For me I think it's because no matter what I'm doing or who I'm doing I'd rather be sleeping.

[THE JUICE]

for me its if im bored or cold air from the air-con is hittimg me

[njjuicer]

Originally posted by THE JUICE
for me its if im bored or cold air from the air-con is hittimg me

thats the ebst super fuckin cold i love crankin the air up and goi to ebd when its liek 60

[THE JUICE]

Originally posted by njjuicer
thats the ebst super fuckin cold i love crankin the air up and goi to ebd when its liek 60

fuck yeah thats what im gonna do in a while

[njjuicer]

coo

[THE JUICE]

Originally posted by njjuicer
coo

drink some cold orange juice and cold water and go to sleep, it works well for me

[njjuicer]

nah ebfor ei hit the sack i have a sandwich or yogurt and huge glass of milk

[bigdude]

I can't wait for the summer to sleep with my ac on.