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Unknown Facts About Yawning:  The brain is a fascinating phenomenon. Its reflex actions are not entirely involuntary; they happen for a reason, just like Yawning. It is a kind of bodily involuntary reflex, which involves a wide opening of the mouth with a deep inhalation. However, is Yawning really just that? This physiological phenomenon is usually linked to tiredness or boredom. However, researchers say otherwise, the most interesting fact about yawning is that it cools the brain. This brain-cooling aspect of yawning might be of extreme importance for optimal brain functioning and mental well-being.

The Thermoregulatory Theory

As per the famous thermoregulatory theory of yawning, it is a natural cooling process of the brain. When the temperature of the brain increases, due to numerous reasons, like intense mental exercise or for some other reason, a yawn brings it back to an ideal state. This is important since the brain takes up approximately a third of the calories by the body and generates considerable heat in the process. The brain functions better at cooler temperatures, and yawning serves this purpose by increasing blood flow and bringing the temperature down of the brain.

Physiologically, a yawn is a strong stretch of the jaw and a deep breath. This serves to flood blood through the neck, head, and facial areas, essentially draining warmer blood away from the brain and permitting cooler blood from the extremities and lungs to flow in. It is like when a radiator helps to cool an overheated motor. Additionally, the deep inhalation while yawning also serves to cool the brain through evaporative cooling, as cold air is sucked in and hot air is exhaled out.

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Experiments, over the years, have highlighted that yawning rate varies with environmental temperature, as they are most frequent in the most comfortable temperature range. For example, yawns are less often seen in extreme temperatures, which also suggests that yawning is directly related to thermoregulation of the brain. Additionally, an experimental reduction of neck temperature, by cooling carotid arteries that feed the brain, also reduces the need to yawn.

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Therefore, instead of being merely a symptom of drowsiness or dullness, yawning is an adaptive reflex that helps to cool the brain and keep mental alertness and function in check. This incredible knowledge brings a lot more to conventional wisdom about yawning, which brings focus to the important physiological function of yawning apart from simple tiredness and sleepiness.