Reasons for Skepticism Regarding the Brain-Cooling Theory
Despite the predictions made by Andrew C. Gallup, Ph.D., not everyone is convinced of the validity of the brain-cooling theory. Adrian G. Guggisberg, MD, a physician at the University of Geneva, shares Gallup’s view that yawning can be triggered by changes in room temperature. However, Guggisberg remains skeptical of the theory as a whole.
Guggisberg argues that the theory places too much emphasis on brain cooling, disregarding other methods the body uses to regulate its temperature, such as sweating. He goes on to suggest that yawning should not decrease during warm weather, as this is when our brains may require even more cooling.
A Different Perspective on Yawning
While Andrew C. Gallup, Ph.D., attributes yawning to a physiological cause and physical benefit, Adrian G. Guggisberg, MD, proposes a social explanation for this seemingly contagious behavior. Acknowledging the presence of physiological effects, Guggisberg suggests that these alone cannot account for the persistence of yawning throughout evolution. Instead, he contends that the contagious nature of yawning is closely tied to social competence and empathy.