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Why is yawning contagious?

Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:34 pm
Posted by DoUrden
UnderDark
Member since Oct 2011
25965 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:34 pm
Watching Blade Runner and Harrison Ford yawned and I immediately yawned.
Posted by jimbeam
University of LSU
Member since Oct 2011
75703 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:35 pm to
JUst yawned reading this
Posted by S
RIP Wayde
Member since Jan 2007
155391 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:38 pm to
Ill ask my board certified sleep specialist and report back to you
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
140462 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:39 pm to
Because your gaming chair is so comfy
Posted by SPEEDY
2005 Tiger Smack Poster of the Year
Member since Dec 2003
83344 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:40 pm to
Posted by dbeck
Member since Nov 2014
29449 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:42 pm to
The theory is that it's a survival mechanism for low oxygen environment.

If you were in a low oxygen environment and someone else took a big gasping breath it would be to your advantage to do the same. Lest they breath up all the remaining oxygen.

When you're sleepy your breathing slows a lot, you might not get enough oxygen so you take a big breath (yawn). Others see this and mimic it out of instinct just in case your lack of oxygen is due to bad environment and not just slowed breathing.
Posted by RummelTiger
Texas
Member since Aug 2004
89831 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:42 pm to
quote:

Why is yawning contagious?


You know, if you had just typed this sentence into Google, then hit "enter"...you'd likely have your answer.
Posted by biglego
Ask your mom where I been
Member since Nov 2007
76176 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:44 pm to
Spreading yawns is not a felony in California
Posted by Nado Jenkins83
Land of the Free
Member since Nov 2012
59599 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 4:52 pm to
Studies show that people who arent susceptible to contagious yawns are much more likely to be a pyschopath.
Posted by Passing Wind
Dutchtown
Member since Apr 2015
4137 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 5:24 pm to
quote:

RummelTiger

quote:

You know, if you had just typed this sentence into Google, then hit "enter"...you'd likely have your answer.

You know, even after all your “trying”...you’re still not witty.
This post was edited on 10/8/17 at 5:25 pm
Posted by dbeck
Member since Nov 2014
29449 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 5:27 pm to
quote:

Passing Wind

Also contagious
Posted by TigerinATL
Member since Feb 2005
61438 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 5:31 pm to
quote:

The theory is that it's a survival mechanism for low oxygen environment.


Where would animals naturally run into a low oxygen environment on a widespread enough basis that this "warning" it makes into so many animals? I saw a suggestion once that you should yawn if you need to relax your pet, that it was kind of an all clear sign. That makes more sense to me than the low oxygen thing. Just like the herd at the water hole all run at the first sign of panic, others yawning could mean keep drinking.
Posted by Sticky37
Member since Jun 2016
506 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 5:42 pm to
They believe it's a social mechanism that most animals evolved to have, basically it's a subconscious communication to other members of your group that you are nonthreatening.

Think about it, have you ever been really angry and felt like yawning before?
Posted by Doomaflochie
Member since Jan 2011
285 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 5:53 pm to
quote:

Why is yawning contagious?


Seeing the subject made me yawn. Normally a yawn doesn’t warrant an up vote. This is the exception. Enjoy.
Posted by dbeck
Member since Nov 2014
29449 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 5:54 pm to
quote:

Where would animals naturally run into a low oxygen environment on a widespread enough basis that this "warning" it makes into so many animals?

Fish
Posted by LSUnatick
South of Lafourche
Member since Jul 2008
1081 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 6:00 pm to
Because you touch yourself at night.
Posted by BigOrangeBri
Nashville- 4th & 19
Member since Jul 2012
12266 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 6:20 pm to
Whistling is too. Next time you're around a few people start whistling and I guarantee someone near you will start soon after.
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
166135 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 6:21 pm to
Cause that's a boring movie
Posted by RummelTiger
Texas
Member since Aug 2004
89831 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 6:44 pm to
quote:

You know, even after all your “trying”...you’re still not witty.


Who says I was trying to be witty?

That said, I'm most definitely witty...
Posted by saint tiger225
San Diego
Member since Jan 2011
35348 posts
Posted on 10/8/17 at 6:54 pm to
quote:

You know, if you had just typed this sentence into Google, then hit "enter"...you'd likely have your answer.
To be fair, this is the case for most threads on the OT.
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