from Washington University in St. Louis
We’ve all seen it. Somebody yawns and soon we have the urge to yawn, too. The same for itching. Now researchers at Washington University in St. Louis confirm itching is highly contagious but not because it is a form of empathy. They discovered a portion of the brain in laboratory animals releases a chemical that previously had been identified as a transmitter of itch signals. The researchers confirmed their finding by blocking that chemical process and the animals did not scratch when they saw others scratch. So, the authors say the next time you scratch or yawn in response to someone else doing it, remember it’s not really a choice nor psychological response; it is hardwired into your brain!