Only a few things can match the euphoria of a great first kiss – the hormones, and chemical reactions in your body work together wonderfully to make the experience something that invigorates your whole body. You instantly feel intimate and affectionate and you just can’t keep your lips to yourself anymore. So, how is it beneficial for your health? Let us look at some of the lesser-known but amazing advantages of kissing.
8 Amazing Facts About Kissing
Remember that first kiss? The happy realization that your lips were capable makes your entire body tremble with a mix of desire and pleasure. Isn’t that beneficial enough? And we’ve only just started on the benefits of kissing. In fact, there’s actually a whole field of study dedicated to the science of kissing, and it is called philematology.
For instance, according to a study published in the Western Journal of Communication, couples that increased the frequency of their romantic kissing saw a major fall in their cholesterol levels. Intrigued by the health benefits of a kiss on the lips? Brace yourself, we’ve got many more.
1. Kissing can decrease your stress levels
Kissing can cause a decrease in the stress hormone, cortisol, and boost the serotonin levels in the brain. A pump of serotonin – the hormone responsible for regulating your mood – can make you feel lighter and de-stressed. The same study from the Western Journal of Communication shows that kissing decreases cortisol levels, and increases the feel-good hormone oxytocin, so there is an overall feeling of satisfaction and happiness. While both men and women were found to experience a decline in the level of cortisol, the increase in oxytocin was mainly observed in men. It was also noted that men were more inclined to bonding through acts of physical intimacy. So the next time you feel sad, depressed, tired, or stressed, lean toward your partner and lock your lips with theirs.
2. Kissing helps you burn calories
Kissing does not only reduce stress but can also help you lose weight. How many calories does kissing burn, you ask? Well, puckering up can burn as many as 10-25 calories a minute, in an intense makeout session. On average kissing can burn 120 to 130 calories per hour, which amounts to 2 to 3 calories per minute. A study shows men can burn an average of 100 calories having sex and kissing, and women can burn about 69 calories in a 25-minute session. It definitely pumps up your metabolism to twice the normal rate, which is indeed good news. Most people at rest burn about one calorie a minute. So while we don’t suggest you skip your gym or Zumba sessions, make the most out of kissing when you are lazily parked on your couch. And by the way, smooches that lead to sex have their own set of health benefits too.
3. It has an amazing feel-good factor
One of the top health benefits of kissing is simply that it will put you in a great mood. The easiest way to boost your happiness is to kiss your partner romantically in different styles. Research has shown that kissing releases feel-good and happy hormones like endorphins. Lips are the most exposed erogenous zones with nerve endings. With just the right pressure, kissing can release dopamine in the brain and make you moan with pleasure. Dopamine is the chemical associated with pleasurable activities like having sex, eating your favorite food, and listening to the music you like. The science of smooching is just fascinating indeed!
4. Kissing can help check your bad cholesterol
High blood cholesterol can lead to serious complications such as heart attack and stroke. Stress has been quite a strong reason for high cholesterol levels due to associated bad eating habits. Lip locks, neck kisses, and a fiery smooch are here for your rescue if your stress levels are getting out of hand. According to another 2018 study, apart from reducing stress hormones, kissing also lowers your cholesterol levels. It can keep you healthy while it keeps the fire alive and growing between you and your partner.
5. Pheromones make you attractive instantly and also help you find the right partner
Instant attractiveness mode gets activated when you get into some intense canoodling. When we kiss, the body releases pheromones, which basically are hormones released outside of the body and received by another being. The sebum or oils present on the nose and mouth secrete pheromones. They increase our attractiveness instantly. Then there is the goodness of pink on your lips that adds to it. The rush of blood to your lips when you kiss lends them a distinct pink hue. The pheromones also enable the body to detect if the person you are kissing will make a better partner for you. If you don’t feel the vibes or feel like pulling away, it is your body’s way of telling you to back off. When you kiss someone, you’d feel the scent, vibes, smell, and energy – the absence of which can indicate that something isn’t right. Kissing is a way of finding the perfect partner in bed, and beyond.
6. Kissing can tone your facial muscles
This is one of the most interesting health benefits of kissing. When you kiss, you put around 30-34 of your facial muscles to work. Your face gets a workout and you get to retain your youthful looks when you kiss every day. Your cheeks will get toned and won’t droop. Locking lips could actually make you look younger, provided you engage in a few kissing sessions every day! Your cheekbones become more visible and pronounced. Well, if this is not another reason to lock your lips with your loved one and reap the health benefits, then what is?
7. Saliva can help you decide on your potential mate and also maintain your oral hygiene
Have you ever wondered why do people kiss as a show of affection in so many cultures? What purpose does it serve? Well, research at Oxford University has concluded that when we kiss and the saliva is exchanged, it helps us figure out whether or not we would like to make babies with the person being kissed. Kissing actually helps a person subconsciously assess a potential life partner, based on smell, taste, and other biological factors. Sloppy foreplay that makes you wonder whether you should continue the relationship or not is actually your body’s way of assessing a potential mate. Pretty fascinating, right? The acidity associated with teeth cavities is neutralized with the increased production of saliva in the mouth because of the sensation of kissing. And when you know you have someone to kiss you are more careful about avoiding hygiene mistakes, which is another great advantage, isn’t it?
8. You experience an adrenaline rush
The thumping heart, the sweaty palms, the gush of blood and so many hormones at play that make us feel excited and sensual are the work of just a kiss. The energy levels go up and you are gripped by positive vibes. You feel aroused and look forward to having sex after an intense, mind-blowing kiss. The release of adrenaline, the heavy breathing, and the increased blood flow make one intoxicated with passion and lust. Probably the only instance where the adrenaline rush doesn’t trigger the fight or flight response. The positivity of desire, passion, and bliss boosts your overall sense of self and helps you maintain a positive relationship.
Can A Relationship Work Without Kissing?
Now that we have talked so much about it and have put the act of kissing on a pedestal, what if we remove it from the equation? Will a relationship survive without it and its benefits? What if your partner says to you that they don’t enjoy kissing? Imagine the horror! But, where there is love, there is always a way. As strange as it sounds, there can be many reasons why someone wouldn’t like to kiss. The important thing is that there are people for whom kissing is not what it is to most of us. If your partner is one such rare individual, do not worry, we’ve got some alternatives for you guys to feel physical intimacy without kisses.
Explore other areas of the body where they like to be kissedTry other forms of affection, like tender touching and sexual play, that can help you feel closeMeaningful and loving eye contact is an amazing way of creating a moment of intimacy and nonverbal communicationIndulge in non-sexual hugs and cuddlesOpen communication and practicing gratitude build an intimacy that transcends physical barriers
We think we have provided you with enough scientific evidence about kissing and its health benefits. We would like to rest our case and let you get back to it. We’re pretty sure that with these facts in mind, your makeout sessions will have a whole new dimension. Remember to hydrate yourself and pull out to breathe every once in a while. As you feel happy and rev up for the final act of lovemaking do not underestimate the power of a kiss. A kiss can enliven just about every part of you, bringing alive every nerve and every sense that your body has. Now, go find someone to share a hot kiss with and experience pure ecstasy! This article has been updated in October 2022.
