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How does kissing affect your body and physiology?
How does kissing affect a woman's brain?
Why do we kiss each other?
- Kissing can aid in mate selection. Various studies1 suggest that kissing may play a role in our process of assessing a potential partner. That's because kissing gets us close enough to a potential mate to unconsciously assess compatibility through our senses.
- Kissing can increase arousal. Many people find kissing arousing, and it can be a great way to build up to sex. According to OB/GYN Jessica A. Shepherd, M.D., MBA, that's because kissing produces many feel-good and stimulating effects on the body: "Several factors have been identified with kissing and love, including oxytocin, vasopressin, dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, and other stress hormones, nerve growth factor, and testosterone," she tells mbg.
- Kissing can make you feel high. As mentioned above, kissing releases a party of feel-good hormones that dance together to give you a natural high, including oxytocin (the so-called love hormone) and dopamine (a hormone associated with happiness and attraction).
- Kissing is linked to a higher likelihood of orgasm for women. Women are more likely to have an orgasm when sex involves "deep kissing," a 2018 study6 found.
- Why you should pucker up
- 1. It boosts your ‘happy hormones’
- 2. Which helps you bond with the other person
- 3. And has a tangible impact on your self-esteem
- 4. It also relieves stress
- 5. And reduces anxiety
- 6. It dilates your blood vessels, which helps reduce your blood pressure
- 7. This can also help relieve cramps
- 8. And soothe headaches
- 9. It can boost your immune system
Has the kissing waned in your relationship? Are you more the “air kiss” than “actual kiss” type when greeting your friends? Do you cringe when you see your aunt coming in for a big kiss at family functions? It may be time to pucker up!
Turns out that kissing — even your family and friends — has loads of mental and physical benefits that make getting your smooch on totally worth it. Here’s what the science says.
Kissing triggers your brain to release a cocktail of chemicals that leave you feeling oh so good by igniting the pleasure centers of the brain.
These chemicals include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, which can make you feel euphoric and encourage feelings of affection and bonding. It also lowers your cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
Oxytocin is a chemical linked to pair bonding. The rush of oxytocin released when you kiss causes feelings of affection and attachment. Kissing your partner can improve relationship satisfaction and may be especially important in long-term relationships.
In addition to boosting your happy hormones, kissing can reduce your cortisol levels — potentially improving your feelings of self-worth.
Researchers in one 2016 study found that participants who were unhappy with their physical appearance had higher cortisol levels.
Speaking of cortisol, kissing also lowers cortisol levels and stress. Kissing and other affectionate communication, like hugging and saying “I love you,” impacts the physiological processes related to stress management.
Stress management includes how well you handle stress and anxiety. There’s nothing quite like a kiss and some affection to help calm you. Oxytocin decreases anxiety and increases relaxation and wellness.
Kissing increases your heart rate in a way that dilates your blood vessels, according to Andrea Demirjian, author of the book, “Kissing: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About One of Life’s Sweetest Pleasures.”
When your blood vessels dilate, your blood flow increases and causes an immediate decrease in your blood pressure. So this means that kissing is good for the heart, literally and metaphorically!
The effect of dilated blood vessels and increased blood flow can help relieve cramps — a boost in feel-good chemicals and relief from period cramps? Getting your smooch on when you’re in the throes of a bad period might just be worth it.
Kiss the “not tonight dear, I have a headache” excuse goodbye. That dilation of blood vessels and lowered blood pressure can also relieve headaches. Kissing may also help you prevent headaches by lowering stress, which is a known headache trigger.
Swapping spit can boost your immunity by exposing you to new germs that strengthen your immune system. One 2014 study found that couples that kiss frequently share the same microbiota in their saliva and on their tongues.
- Adrienne Santos-Longhurst
Feb 2, 2023 · And while it can stir up a lot of intense emotions, such as happiness, excitement, and love, kissing can also have some major physical effects on our bodies and physiology. Thankfully, most of the impacts of kissing are good and helpful.
- Lauren Barth
- Stress Reduction. Kissing prompts the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone." This neuropeptide helps reduce stress and promote feelings of bonding and attachment.
- Immune System Boost. Believe it or not, kissing can boost your immune system. When you exchange saliva with your partner, you're exposed to various germs and pathogens.
- Mood Enhancement. Kissing stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. It can improve your mood and leave you feeling happier and more content.
- Communication. Beyond the physiological benefits, kissing serves as a powerful form of non-verbal communication. It conveys desire, affection, and emotional connection.
In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of kissing and explore how it affects not only your brain but also your body. The Physical Effects of Kissing Kissing triggers a cascade of physical reactions in your body.
Jul 6, 2019 · Kissing activates the brain’s reward system, releasing neurotransmitters like oxytocin, "the love hormone," and vasopressin, which bonds mothers with babies and romantic partners to each...
Feb 1, 2008 · When passion takes a grip, a kiss locks two humans together in an exchange of scents, tastes, textures, secrets and emotions. We kiss furtively, lasciviously, gently, shyly, hungrily and...
