Recently, the mystery of why people yawn was smashed open with an infallible explanation. Scientists say that the function of yawning, which is interpreted as an indication of boredom or sleepiness, is to cool the brain, which is why we do it before we sleep. Ever try to sleep with a warm brain? Well, then you see what we mean.
To explain why yawns are contagious and can spread upon sight, Professor Andrew Gallup believes that it may be the evolution of a ritual of early man to stay alert in the face of danger. This conjecture replaces the previous explanation for the contagiousness of yawning that it is just a hip thing that all the kids are doing right now.
In a controlled experiment, students were asked to watch videos of people laughing, yawning, and golfing. Some were asked to place warm or cold packs on their heads. Their reactions were viewed by researchers through a one-way mirror. These hidden researchers processed the experiment’s results and uncovered the truth about yawning. While the importance of their work drove their dedication, their spirits were at times thwarted by the jeering of researchers from across the hall, who are working on a cure for leukemia.
