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Yawning has an unexpected influence on the fluid inside your brain

by MDWolinski176979223966 comments
Reminds me of a recent finding that attention lapses in a sleep-deprived brain correlate with flushing of cerebrospinal fluid (almost a garbage collection pause).

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45771636

by loire2801770239995
The contagious nature of yawning is so weird. It has to be evolutionarily advantageous because it's so wide spread, but it's also non-obvious.
by MPSimmons1770232935
There was an article posted recently about a new discovery around CSF flows during sleep too. It sounds like yawning causes similar flows, which could maybe explain why you yawn more when tired? It could be a compensation mechanism to provide a bit of the same effect you normally get when sleeping.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45771636

by tempestn1770241672
> “Each individual seems to have what looks like an individual yawning signature”

I’m looking forward to “yawn to unlock”.

Also, what’s the deal with that article image?

by layer81770234539
You know how yawning is also a social function, and seeing someone yawn makes you yawn? I just got forced into a good neurofluid flow reorganization session just by reading the title.
by calini1770242266
by 1770242311
> If an animal is drowsy or bored, it will be less alert than when fully awake and less prepared to spring into action. "Contagious" yawning could be an instinctual signal between group members to stay alert.

> Anecdotal evidence suggests that yawning helps increase a person's alertness.

> Paratroopers have been noted to yawn during the moments before they exit their aircraft.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yawn

by tetris111770238417
by 1770241081
I did not read the article. But my question is - does it mean yawning (like trying to yawn on purpose which in my case will make me "really" yawn soon) influences those fluids inside my brain?

Or - a change in those fluids makes me yawn?

by zb31770243386
"To tire, perchance to yawn."
by ncr1001770242616
This article made me yawn. :)
by eek21211770241079
by 1770242295
> yawning is not simply an intensified breath but a distinct cardiorespiratory manoeuvre that reorganizes neurofluid flow

Brilliant, I'll use that next time I yawn somewhere inappropriately.

by yread1770236767
Why do I yawn more when I'm cold?
by ljsprague1770242285
paywall
by allears1769793308