theblackalchemist Posted July 6, 2007 Report Posted July 6, 2007 Yawning too often? Don’t blame lack of sleep. It’s just your brain cooling down. Contrary to popular belief that has long associated yawning with sleepiness, exhaustion, boredom and low oxygen levels in the blood, researchers from the University at Albany have found that yawning acts as a brain-cooling mechanism. The brain burns up to a third of the calories we consume, and as a consequence generates a lot of heat. According to researchers Andrew Gallup and Gordon Gallup, the brain operates more efficiently when cool and yawning enhances its functioning by increasing blood flow and drawing in cooler air. The researchers also suggest — again contrary to popular view — that yawning does not promote sleep but helps mitigate the need to sleep. Since yawning occurs when brain temperature rises, sending cool blood to the brain serves to maintain optimal levels of mental efficiency. [/Quote] More here- Times of India Alternative article Latest research shows that yawning helps in keeping the brain cool, contradicting the popular belief that yawning promotes sleep and is a sign of tiredness. Yawning involves opening the mouth involuntarily while taking a long, deep breath of air. It is commonly believed that people yawn as a result of drowsiness or weariness because they need oxygen. However, researchers at the University of Albany in New York said their experiments on 44 students showed that drawing in air helps cool the brain and helps it work more effectively. [/Quote] More here - Times of India TBA Quote
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