Why are yawns catching?

Question

First of all? I have NO idea where to put this question. I had to take a guess.

Sitting in a doctor's waiting room, if you let out a yawn every minute or so, soon EVERYONE in the room will be yawning.

And the best bit? They have no idea why.

Cheap thrills, people, cheap thrills.

Ahem.

So why is it so 'contagious'?

Answer 1

when you yawn you release a mitochondrial stream into the atmosphere that infects anyone within 100 feet, causing oxygen deprivation and lightheadedness. Too much yawning within a confined space can reduce the IQ level by ten points. That is why you should always sit near the door on confined transport like public busses.

Answer 2

haha! It's so weird! Sometimes I might be in a huge room of people, I yawn and then see other people across the room yawning who didn't even see me yawn.

Answer 3

When somebody yawns, it stimulates the brain of everyone else to yawn too.

Peace

:-)

Answer 4

I seen a documentry on this. The reason is because when some million years ago when we are all primitive people. We live in groups we are highly socialable. Like when a tiger appear its either we all run or all together kill it. Its like in our genes until now.

Answer 5

When my daughters' were young, they told me that the reason everyone else yawns when you do, is because you sucked out their oxygen when you did, so, they have to get more oxygen...by  yawning too. LOL.