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Yawning does something unexpected to your brain: MRI scans reveal how yawning and deep breathing differ | Health - Hindustan Times

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Elena Dumitrescu
Yawning does something unexpected to your brain: MRI scans reveal how yawning and deep breathing differ | Health - Hindustan Times
Yawning is an involuntary reflex action that is widely considered to be a sign of fatigue, boredom, or stress. However, a study published in the Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, titled Biomechanics of contagious yawning: Insights into cranio-cervical fluid dynamics and kinematic consistency, has revealed something unexpected about the effect of yawning on the flow of fluid that protects the brain. Yawning is an involuntary reflex action that is usually triggered by fatigue, boredom, or stress. (Pexel)While scientists are not clear about the impact of the findings, researchers from the University of New South Wales in Australia believe that the discovery can provide clues as to why humans and other animals evolved the capacity to yawn in the first place. Also Read | How to save someone’s life if they are choking? Heart surgeon shares tips and steps for Heimlich manoeuvre There were 22 healthy participants in the study, who were asked to yawn, take deep breaths, stifle yawns, and breathe normally. The research team used MRI to scan their heads as they performed the action. Since the processes of yawning and deep breathing share many similarities, scientists expected them to show up similarly in MRI scans. However, the images obtained in the study revealed that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) moves away from the brain while yawning in some cases, and the opposite way during deep breaths. The odd phenomenon apparently occurred less often in men, and researchers caution that it may be because of interference from the scanner itself. The analysis did reveal that the flow of blood leaving the brain increases during both yawning and deep breathing, which allows fresh blood to be pumped in. The researchers also discovered that each participant had a unique yawning pattern that they closely followed each time they yawned. According to neuroscientist Adam Martinac, who spoke with New Scientist on the subject, “Each person yawns in a unique way – so the tongue motion during the yawn is different between people, but very consistent for each person. It's almost like a fingerprint, so you could possibly identify someone just based on how they yawn." This is likely a sign that all individuals have their own central pattern generator that determines their yawn. While researchers are yet to clearly establish the reason why yawning and deep breathing affect the CSF differently, they have reportedly been considering two possibilities. The CSF is known to deliver nutrients and remove wastes from the central nervous system. As such, yawning can play a specific role in clearing the brain. On the other hand, it may also support the cooling function of the brain. Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More
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