Researchers from Perm Polytechnic University in Russia have revealed that yawning is not just a response to boredom or a lack of oxygen, but a complex neurophysiological mechanism that helps the brain transition between states of alertness and relaxation. On average, a person yawns 7 to 23 times a day. When a person resumes their activity, the urge to yawn disappears, which proves that yawning is a way to activate the brain rather than supply it with oxygen. Yawning is contagious and often spreads among close people, such as family, friends, and partners, thanks to mirror neurons responsible for empathy and involuntary imitation. A single yawn increases the volume of air entering the lungs by about four times and also raises the heart rate by 20–25%. Despite the common misconception that yawning is caused by a lack of oxygen, scientists confirm this is incorrect; it is linked to a decrease in alertness, not a lack of air. Furthermore, yawning can relieve headaches by reducing the constriction of blood vessels during fatigue or migraines, according to 'Russia Today'. The researchers conclude that suppressing a yawn is almost impossible, as this process is controlled by ancient brain structures associated with the regulation of breathing, heart rate, and sleep cycles.
