The vagus nerve plays a major role in hiccups and yawning. It starts in the brain and then travels down to affect the lungs, heart, stomach, intestines and many other organs.
Hiccups and yawns can occur for a variety of reasons, but they are always based on a change in the activity of the vagus nerve.
Hiccup is a sudden, sharp and breathless breath. It occurs as a result of involuntary contraction of the diaphragm. Most often, hiccups occur due to rushing while eating.
Some scientists believe that hiccups are inherited from our amphibian ancestors. Studies on young children suggest that this reflex may help them get rid of excess air that enters the stomach during feeding.
A yawn is a long, deep breath accompanied by a specific sound and a wide opening of the mouth. We often associate this reflex with boredom and fatigue, but it’s not that simple.
One of the main functions of yawning is to cool our brains. It also improves blood circulation to the brain, and some scientists think that this helps us calm down in certain emotional situations (stress, tension, anxiety).
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Source: Ferra
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