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Apr 25 2013

What makes us yawn?

27 min 3 movies discussed
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What is it that makes us suddenly draw in a deep breath through a wide-open mouth? The beautiful thing about yawning is that researchers really don't know. Whether the answer is physical, mental or even contagious there is pretty much no chance you won't yawn during this episode.

AI Summary

This episode of Stuff You Should Know dives into the surprisingly mysterious world of yawning, exploring why we do it, why it's contagious, and what science has discovered about this universal behavior. Josh and Chuck examine various theories from oxygen deprivation to brain cooling to empathy, discuss how even fetuses yawn in the womb, and reveal fascinating facts like how certain types of paralysis can still allow yawning movements. They also cover the related phenomenon of pandiculation (that satisfying stretch-and-yawn combo) and share some entertaining listener mail about hanging out with the musician Rodriguez from the acclaimed documentary "Searching for Sugar Man."


Movies Discussed

How to Survive a Plague
How to Survive a Plague
2012 1h 49m
★ 6.8
"Have you seen How to Survive a Plague? — Chuck mentions this documentary about the early AIDS awareness movement as another best documentary contender." — Chuck
No Place on Earth
No Place on Earth
2012 1h 21m
★ 6.7
"It's called No Place on Earth — Josh mentions this documentary about a Jewish family hiding underground during World War II." — Josh
Searching for Sugar Man
Searching for Sugar Man
2012 1h 25m
★ 7.9
"you can see the documentary searching for Sugar Man — Chuck recommends the documentary about Rodriguez when discussing the musician who was famous in South Africa but unknown in America." — Chuck

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