Why You Yawn When Others Yawn

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:00]Uh, hey brain, what's up?

[00:00:02]>> Uh, everything's going great. I just I'm sorry. Sorry? What were we talking about?

[00:00:07]>> Uh, don't worry. That's contagious yawning. What's that? When someone close to you yawns, like a friend or family member, mirror neurons fire up in your brain. These little guys feel exactly what the other person is experiencing and make you yawn automatically. It's actually a good sign.

[00:00:22]>> Good? How is this a good sign? It means we're emotionally close.

[00:00:27]>> Are we? Yeah, we're best friends. Hey dude, uh, what's up?

[00:00:32]How many best friends do you have exactly? Uh, stomach. Be cool, dude.

[00:00:37]Yawning actually works like a radiator sometimes. When you see someone yawn, the brain triggers a deep intake of air.

[00:00:43]It cools down the blood flowing to the brain and improves alertness.

[00:00:46]>> Wow, such useful information. Hey guys, is there a meeting?

[00:00:51]>> [sighs] >> This is getting ridiculous. I have way too many close friends. You know, back in our ancestral times, if one person yawned, the whole group caught the cue.

[00:01:02]It ensured everyone stayed alert. Or went to sleep at the exact same time.

[00:01:06]Uh, guys, hello?

[00:01:08]>> [snoring] [snorts] >> So, does that make you my best friend, too?