Kissing exists in some form in practically every culture and it’s such a big part of society, there’s a whole day devoted to celebrating it. International Kissing Day falls on July 6th and it was created to remind people of the simple pleasures of smooching, but it turns out, it’s actually good for you.
Kissing is scientifically proven to boost your physical and mental health and build intimacy, which is all good for your well-being.
- It can send the brain into “overdrive” - According to science communicator Emer Maguire, the brain dedicates a large amount of space to the sensation of the lips and during a passionate kiss, that sensitivity can “send the brain into overdrive.” The sensitivity causes the brain to create a chemical cocktail made of the feel-good chemicals serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin that can give us a natural high, lighting up pleasure centers in the brain and leading to a feeling of euphoria.
- It helps us destress - Kissing also temporarily lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
- It boosts our immune system - As many as 80 million bacteria are transferred during a 10-second kiss and while that may sound gross, it’s great for immunity. That’s because the more diverse the germs in your gut microbiota, the stronger your immune system.
- It helps you pick the right partner - Certified sex educator Gigi Engle says kissing plays an important part in our attraction to a mate. According to one theory, when you kiss someone, your body evaluates things like taste and smell to determine if that person’s immune system is complementary to yours and would produce strong offspring. Research has also shown that women value kissing most during the initial stages of a relationship and when they’re most likely to conceive.
- It helps reignite that spark - Smooching can help build the electric charge between a couple. Gigi calls kissing the “water of the relationship” because relationships need regular attention and TLC to keep them going strong and kissing delivers.
Source: Metro