Why We Kiss: The Science Behind Our Most Intimate Gesture

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of an intimate lip-lock wondering, ‘‘Why on earth am I doing this?’’ Well, that hardly represents a typical question flashing through one’s mind while kissing.

Honestly, it’s a little odd to press your lips on someone’s! Yet, it feels so right.

So, what’s the deal? The Science Behind the Age-Old Smooch.

The Beginning: Ancient Lip Love

Let us take a small time travel back in history. It is not like kissing just grew out of nowhere!

It is evident from historical records from various civilizations such as the Sumerians and ancient Egyptians that they were having their tongue action.

Some researchers even suggest that kissing originated from ancient women’s mouth—to—mouth feeding practices, of a kind as birds, but this theory is not universally accepted.

Yes, history has a lot to offer but coming fast forward to the science part.

The Whole Story is About Chemixals!

Interestingly enough, when we kiss, there is a complete chemical cocktail party taking place.

Here’s the fun part: the lips contain a lot of nerve endings. And so when your mouths smack together. There those little nerve endings are sending everything up to the head, ya dig?

And then the DJ inside of us — that’s the BRAIN, let’s not forget — starts spitting out those good chemicals. Dopamine (the “feel good” hormone) oxytocin (“we’re in love”) and serotonin (mood elevator).

It is these chemicals that give one that warm feeling, ‘feel like I am on top of the world,’ ‘super-connected’, or simply a great mood after an awesome kiss.

However, this is not only about feeling good. Kissing could have been a cunning trick of nature in terms of evolution to assist in choosing the ideal partner.

You are not only having a passionate moment with somebody when you are up close and personal; you share much more! Sharing is also taking place with scents, tastes of meals, and even some germs (trust me; this makes sense in context).

All this data might provide some hints on the health, genetics, or even fertility of a possible mate.

Therefore, it could mean that nature was urging us to go out and say: ‘is it worth it?’

Boosting Immunity and Health: Yep, Kissing is (Kinda) Healthy!

Talking about germs, it seems like exchanging spit may improve our immune system.

You certainly didn’t expect that. However, this does not mean that you should start kissing anyone under the sun when you are having flu outbreaks.

It means that exposure to someone’s germs at such close range could give your immune system hints and perhaps increase its potency.

And it is also a facial exercise. Several muscles of your face are engaged during those puckering sessions. Therefore, if you are thinking of kissing again ask yourself, will it be a little face exercise?

And It’s More Than Just Lips Meeting

There is much more than that chemically and evolutionarily, only the emotional part of it.

Kissing Says It All, Words Can’t Do!.

It can represent affection, lust, and warmth, as well as just an ordinary greeting for hello and goodbye.

So even a kissing style says a lot of things about your relationship dynamics. Soft pecks could be for some people an expression worth much more than long and sultry kisses. Others are different though.

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So, What’s the Takeaway?

Why Kissing Is a Science–Emotion Cocktail with a Splash of Evolutionary Magic.

While the reasons we do it can be as varied as the people we choose to kiss, one thing is clear: it’s a highly human action that overflows with numerous meanings.

Every kiss conveys a tale — be it just a peck on the cheek, an unhurried Frenchie, or a proper film kissing scene in the rain.

Therefore, next time you are set for kissing someone just make certain it is consensually, naturally! With the flip of a page — voila! Perfect Kiss; The Art and Science of the Kiss.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.

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