Chasmology
Chasmology is the study of yawning. It began in the 1980s, though the name was created in the 2000s. It encompasses multiple scientific fields, including physiology and psychology.[1] The field was officially coined by French doctor Olivier Walusinski, who organized research and discussion into the topic. The name was created by using the Greek term for "opening wide", khasma.[2]
History[edit]
Theories[edit]
The common theories for yawning generally involved either oxygen deficiency or the opposite, an overabundance of carbon dioxide. However, when this was put to the test in 1987 by Provine et al, both of the theories were disproven in a simple experiment.[3] A new theory since based on more direct physiological evidence suggests a connection as a thermoregulatory system that helps with body cooling. This has yet to be extensively studied though.[1] It was Andrew Gallup who first proposed that yawning might cool down the brain. In an experiment, he found that when participants held a cold compress to their forehead, only 9% succumbed to the developing yawn. Breathing through the nose, which also cools the brain, resulted in an even lower amount of people completing a yawn.[4]
Another theory relates to boredom and the idea that yawning only occurs when doing something one does not wish to do, often in combination with tiredness. This is contrasted with the claim that yawning does not occur when one is in the process of resting or trying to sleep, only when not actively trying to do so. Wolter Seuntjens called this idea his "First Law of Chasmology". His Second Law relates to the sexual aspects of the yawn and states that data from a variety of science fields will naturally add to the hypothesis and understanding of the erotic parts of yawning.[1]
Organizations[edit]
The first International Congress of Chasmology was organized and met in Paris, France in June of 2010.[5] During the conference, Seuntjens put forward his idea that yawning was used to signify a wide range of emotions and focused especially on the commonality of yawning during sex or when desiring sexual activities.[6]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Seuntjens, Wolter (January 1, 2010). "The Hidden Sexuality of the Yawn and the Future of Chasmology". In Walusinski, Olivier. The Mystery of Yawning in Physiology and Disease. Basel, Switzerland: Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers. p. 55-62. ISBN 9783805594042. Search this book on
- ↑ Piontelli, A.; Ceriani, Florinda; Fabietti, Isabella; Fogliani, Roberto; Restelli, Elisa; Kustermann, Alessandra (January 2, 2015). "Seemingly Trivial Fetal Motions: Yawning and Hiccups". Development of Normal Fetal Movements. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 63-74. ISBN 978-88-470-5372-4. Retrieved August 27, 2016. Search this book on
- ↑ Provine RR, Tate BC, Geldmacher LL (November 1987). "Yawning: No effect of 3–5% CO2, 100% O2, and exercise". Behavioral and Neural Biology. Elsevier. 48 (3): 382–393. doi:10.1016/S0163-1047(87)90944-7. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ↑ Robson, David (August 12, 2014). "One of science's most baffling questions? Why we yawn". BBC News. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ↑ Jones, Steve (November 16, 2009). "Yawning is part of what makes us human". The Daily Telegraph. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Yawning may signal desire for sex". United Press International. June 25, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
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