Yawning: What Causes Yawning

Yawning is a slow involuntary movement of the mouth that starts with a slow deep inhalation of breath and concludes with a small exhale. In old English yawning means “to gape or to open wide”. Everyone yawns and it has even been observed in babies as early as three months after conception. Other than the cute furry animals yawning is also seen in fish and snakes. Yawning is a normal healthy function of the body and researchers have found that most people tend to enjoy yawning. It has also been researched that psychotics rarely if ever yawn.

Is Yawning Contagious?

Yes, yawning is contagious. It has been proven that witnessing someone yawning triggers something in the body that is tempted to imitate the yawning. Covering your mouth while yawning doesn’t save anyone else from being affected.

Excessive Yawning

Excessive yawning is very rare but may indicate a serious medical issue in very rare cases. Excessive yawning could possibly be a symptom of a number of things including brain lesions, hemorrhages or tumors.