The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Member Map
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Life Sciences
  3. Physiology & Medicine
  4. What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?

  • 33 Replies
  • 30377 Views
  • 0 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline neilep (OP)

  • Withdrawnmist
  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 20667
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 48 times
    • View Profile
What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« on: 09/02/2004 16:05:16 »
We all hate itches yes ?..but all love scratching them !!..but can someone tell me exactly what an itch is and how that when you scratch one the pleasure of scratching it moves outside the boundary of where the original itch was.

I realise it's probably an irritant of something but on really close inspection of pre-scratched itches...I can't see anything !!

And...why are yawns so contagious....even ones over the phone ?

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Logged
Men are the same as women, just inside out !
 



Offline Quantumcat

  • The Kitty Down Under
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 894
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #1 on: 10/02/2004 08:59:26 »
An itch is something to do with nerves, they want to be displaced or something. That's what my dad told me anyway when I was little, lol. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it was something along those lines. My own theory of why yawns are contagious, is that you see someone else yawn, your brain figures there mustn't be enough air in the place or something (since people yawn when their brain decides there's not enough oxygen ... when you're sleepy, you tend to breathe shallowly without realising it. If your brain really doesn't have enough oxygen and it's more urgent, you faint) so anyway, your brain decides there mustn't be enough air or oxygen in the place if someone's yawning so it makes you yawn too. I don't know if that's right though.

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!
Logged
 
 

Offline neilep (OP)

  • Withdrawnmist
  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 20667
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 48 times
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #2 on: 10/02/2004 13:17:45 »
Thanks Erin....I presume the same is when you hear someone yawn on the phone too. Is a 'stretch' then just a more elaborate yawn ?...Thank you for your comments to all my silly queries :)

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Logged
Men are the same as women, just inside out !
 

Offline Ylide

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 905
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 1 times
    • View Profile
    • http://clem.mscd.edu/~mogavero
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #3 on: 10/02/2004 23:54:29 »
Biologically, yawning equalizes the pressure inside your head to that of the air.  My stupid theory is that they're contagious because when you yawn, you create a very slight pressure gradient in the air around you, causing everyone within that gradient to yawn until equilibrium is reached.  

It's complete fallacy of course, but I think it's funny.



This message brought to you by The Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People
Logged
This message brought to you by The Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People
 

Offline neilep (OP)

  • Withdrawnmist
  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 20667
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 48 times
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #4 on: 11/02/2004 00:06:04 »
Thanks Jay...it's a great theory......I suppose theoretically the change in pressure gradient around you (during the act of yawning) could stretch how far ? infinity ?....if it's very local ie: a few metres,  then we need to elaborate on your theory to encompass distant yawning.... :-)

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Logged
Men are the same as women, just inside out !
 



Offline Donnah

  • Ma-Donnah
  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 1777
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 4 times
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #5 on: 11/02/2004 05:41:13 »
How about remote yawning?[;)]
« Last Edit: 11/02/2004 15:08:26 by Donnah »
Logged
"If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do."  Mahatma Gandhi
 

Offline Quantumcat

  • The Kitty Down Under
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 894
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #6 on: 11/02/2004 07:50:23 »
lol cannabinoid that's interesting. Why does the pressure gradient become lower in the first placeµ?

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!
Logged
 
 

Offline Ylide

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 905
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 1 times
    • View Profile
    • http://clem.mscd.edu/~mogavero
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #7 on: 11/02/2004 08:14:18 »
Improper breathing, being tired, or congested will mess with the pressure behind the ear canal.  That's what triggers it.  The yawn then perpetuates by changing the pressure around you as you lower/raise the pressure inside your head.

It theoretically goes to infinity, but like gravity or electrical fields, it drops off as the invsere square of distance, so the effect is negligible after a certain distance.

I've put a lot of thought into this, can you tell?

This message brought to you by The Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People
Logged
This message brought to you by The Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People
 

Offline neilep (OP)

  • Withdrawnmist
  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 20667
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 48 times
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #8 on: 11/02/2004 20:21:58 »
Jay, getting to grips with your theory and understanding my 'clapping' question ....phew !!!..I may actually sleep tonight !!! *grin*

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Logged
Men are the same as women, just inside out !
 



Offline MissMontana

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • 114
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #9 on: 11/02/2004 21:47:11 »
I have no idea why yawns are contagious but I have just yawned reading about it (not through boredom) so it must be some kind of subconscious suggestion.  Never experienced contagious cyber yawns before
Logged
 
 

Offline Quantumcat

  • The Kitty Down Under
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 894
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #10 on: 12/02/2004 14:14:25 »
Okay, I suppose I was sort of right with the improper breathing but wrong with oxygen in the head. Thanks for clearing it up cannabinoid.

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!
Logged
 
 

Offline neilep (OP)

  • Withdrawnmist
  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 20667
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 48 times
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #11 on: 11/03/2004 20:44:48 »
Sorry people to bring up this topic again....but I just had an itch and now I want to know why does it feel sooooooooooo good to scratch em ?!!!!, what is happenning to give such a wonderful reward ?.....oh yes indeedy, it was a great scratchy and the pleasure was eye wateringly wondrous !!!!!!!....I think this topic deserves serious consideration as scientifically I'm sure there's someone who could write a paper on it, I'm positive it would be required reading at all educational institutes.

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Logged
Men are the same as women, just inside out !
 

Offline Donnah

  • Ma-Donnah
  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 1777
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 4 times
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #12 on: 11/03/2004 23:20:32 »
Neil, I don't want to know WHERE you were scratching yourself!
Logged
"If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do."  Mahatma Gandhi
 



Offline neilep (OP)

  • Withdrawnmist
  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 20667
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 48 times
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #13 on: 11/03/2004 23:45:29 »
Donnah.....and I don't want to tell you *smirk*

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Logged
Men are the same as women, just inside out !
 

Offline cuso4

  • Angel Delight
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • 422
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #14 on: 12/03/2004 12:22:49 »
quote:
Originally posted by neilep@dsl.pipex.com

Sorry people to bring up this topic again....but I just had an itch and now I want to know why does it feel sooooooooooo good to scratch em ?!!!!, what is happenning to give such a wonderful reward ?.....oh yes indeedy, it was a great scratchy and the pleasure was eye wateringly wondrous !!!!!!!....I think this topic deserves serious consideration as scientifically I'm sure there's someone who could write a paper on it, I'm positive it would be required reading at all educational institutes.

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'



I think people like to scratch the itchy areas because this action mix up the sensation impulses which the brain are receiving. When you scratch, the brain detects the feeling of scratch and forgot about the itch. This is a bit like rubbing your head after you accidentally bumped into a wall [:D].

Angel
« Last Edit: 12/03/2004 12:23:23 by cuso4 »
Logged
Angel
 

Offline neilep (OP)

  • Withdrawnmist
  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 20667
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 48 times
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #15 on: 15/03/2004 03:43:11 »
[|)][|)]http://www.animalyawns.com/AnimalYawns.htm  [|)][|)] YAWN !!

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Logged
Men are the same as women, just inside out !
 

Offline cuso4

  • Angel Delight
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • 422
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #16 on: 15/03/2004 08:29:36 »
Neil, the photos are great. Although I doubt some of the pictures (they are just opening their mouth but not actually yawning)

Angel
Logged
Angel
 



Offline MissMontana

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • 114
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #17 on: 15/03/2004 20:21:33 »
quote:
Originally posted by neilep@dsl.pipex.com

[|)][|)]http://www.animalyawns.com/AnimalYawns.htm  [|)][|)] YAWN !!

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'



Neil, did you think that if you saw pictures of yawns that you would start yawning yourself and then fall asleep?  Otherwise how did you find that?
Logged
 
 

Offline MissMontana

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • 114
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #18 on: 18/03/2004 22:24:14 »
Laughter is contagious too, I often find myself laughing just because someone else is even if I don't know what has made them laugh.  And why is it that things pop into your head and make you laugh at inappropriate times?
Logged
 
 

Offline neilep (OP)

  • Withdrawnmist
  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 20667
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 48 times
    • View Profile
Re: What is an itch ?...and why are Yawns contagious ?
« Reply #19 on: 18/03/2004 22:34:06 »
T G...you're abso right about the laughter....it's contagious....I suppose to see someone in the realms of hilarity is actually funny, and eventually, as you said you just start giggling too.....I use it in my field of work, I smile at people all the time and 99 out of 100 times I always get smiles back,It totally breaks the ice plus I'm generally a happy bloke anyway and I just think smiles are nice :-)....I suppose, the same could be thought of crying too :-(.....with regard to the Yawns website...I honestly can't remember how I found it, it was during one of my silly early hour/late nights that I stumbled upon it...I probably just entered 'Yawns' into google or something and up it came...the cats are soo cute, and the hippos are funny too....

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Logged
Men are the same as women, just inside out !
 



  • Print
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags:
 

Similar topics (5)

Why do insect bites itch, even after the insect has left?

Started by TracyBoard Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution

Replies: 9
Views: 8601
Last post 31/07/2008 15:06:12
by opus
Why does my back always itch worse in the evening? (night time)

Started by Karen W.Board Physiology & Medicine

Replies: 4
Views: 37477
Last post 19/03/2007 17:09:33
by Karen W.
Why does sitting on a cold surface make my buttocks itch?

Started by Carlos Salazar BoychevBoard Physiology & Medicine

Replies: 1
Views: 9121
Last post 09/06/2008 20:27:36
by qazibasit
Why does talking about head lice make your scalp itch?

Started by John ChapmanBoard Physiology & Medicine

Replies: 3
Views: 29029
Last post 18/03/2009 20:11:29
by Bored chemist
Why do mosquito bites itch more now that I am older?

Started by MonikaBoard Physiology & Medicine

Replies: 10
Views: 19407
Last post 14/05/2008 19:32:31
by MonikaS
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
  • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
    Privacy Policy
    SMFAds for Free Forums
  • Naked Science Forum ©

Page created in 0.154 seconds with 82 queries.

  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Get Naked
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • We love feedback

Follow us

cambridge_logo_footer.png

©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.