When the mood strikes, a kiss can catch us in a mix of tastes, textures, mysteries—and scents. We kiss nervously, flirtingly, angrily, or excitedly. And a kiss is not just all about sex: Hollywood celebs throw us air kisses, mobsters impart the kiss of death, and an astronaut kisses the soil after a safe return home. So why, then, are we so taken with the kiss?
Scientists agree our lips evolved first for eating—and then later for speech. Yet, with a kiss, a different kind of ‘hunger’ applies. Kisses set off a whirlwind of neuro-chemical messages yielding anything from sensations of touch to sexual arousal; feelings of closeness to even a wave of euphoria.
However, kissing is not a solo affair, and kissing transmits external messages as well. The bringing together of two bodies sets off messages just as powerful with your partner (whether they are precisely the same feelings is another matter altogether). Kisses pack quite a punch: even one can transmit much information about the potential of a relationship. Research proves that kisses are so powerful that a ‘first kiss’ gone badly can derail even the most promising of relationships.
Scientists believe that lip-locking evolved as a means to promote mate-selection. Kisses transmit olfactory, tactile and postural types of information tapping into both the conscious and unconscious mind that drives decisions, including a genetically-compatible mate! Some researchers believe that a kiss can even disclose the extent to which a partner might commit to raising children—central to our specie’s survival.
Nearly 50 years ago, British zoologist and author Desmond Morris posited that kissing probably evolved from primates: mothers chew food for their young, and then feed them mouth-to-mouth. And since chimps still feed this way, early man probably did so, as well.
This press of outturned lips against lips may have later progressed as a way to comfort children in times of hunger—and eventually becoming a general expression of affection. (Leave it to us humans to take these first parental kisses down the myriad of paths we have today!)
It is believed that unseen chemical messengers named pheromones helped along the evolution of the intimate kiss. Both animals and plants use pheromones to communicate: insects, for example, emit pheromones to signal alarms, point out a food trail or announce sexual attraction.
In 1995, a Swiss researcher showed why pheromones are so important in humans, too. He had women sniff t-shirts worn by men, and asked which smelled best. The results were startling: the women did not choose randomly, which was discovered by comparing the DNA of the women and men. Instead, women overwhelmingly picked the scent of man whose his to compatibility complex (MHC)—the genes that forge our immune systems—differed from their own. (Different MHC’s mean less immune overlap, and the increased likelihood of healthy, disease-resistant kids.) Thus, kissing may be a woman’s way of assessing a potential mate’s immune compatibility—without investing an excessive amount of time, energy in (and not to mention sexual activity with) a man.
However, these scientists aren’t telling the average person anything new: when it comes time to close your eyes and lean in, we all know that a kiss is never just a kiss.
Why a Kiss is Definitely More than a Kiss
4 months ago
3 Min Read

-
Share This!
Lovely just what I was searching for. Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one. Eloise Andonis Steddman
Hello, after reading this amazing post i am as well delighted to share my knowledge here with mates. Jelene Luca Buckingham
I believe you have observed some very interesting points, regards for the post. Lydie Troy Rebekkah
Fastidious answer back in return of this issue with solid arguments and describing all about that. Hallie Lukas Weisler
Nice replies in return of this matter with solid arguments and explaining everything concerning that. Tova Bobby Kacie
We feel that our warm and professional support will bring you pleasant surprises as perfectly as fortune. Lindy Kristoforo Hayes
Im grateful for the post. Thanks Again. Much obliged. Calypso Rainer Manly
Absolutely pent articles, Really enjoyed looking at. Brynne Neddy Zora
Hi colleagues, how is all, and what you want to say regarding this post, in my view its really awesome in support of me. Reiko Toby Craggie
Hi Dear, are you in fact visiting this site regularly, if so after that you will absolutely get fastidious know-how. Theo Borden Selina
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article. Thank you for providing these details. Rosetta Clarance Nealson
There is certainly a great deal to find out about this issue. I love all of the points you made. Elfreda Beaufort Isaiah
Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you know afterward you can write or else it is difficult to write. Miranda Daron Bary
Thanks a lot for the blog article. Much thanks again. Want more. Dehlia Linoel Tirza
Here are some hyperlinks to web-sites that we link to mainly because we think they are worth visiting. Kamila Goddard Adriell
Wow, thanks for writing this amazingly well thought out article. Fantastic job highlighting some of the best and underscored features of our game. Hettie Jonah Gerri
I am happy that I detected this site, exactly the right information that I was searching for! . Coralie Alisander Butch
Marvelous, what a blog it is! This webpage provides valuable facts to us, keep it up. Mallorie Dallon Ignatia
I really like and appreciate your article post. Really thank you! Cool. Teresina Kahaleel Vallery
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article post. Want more. Dniren Aleksandr Arin
Good post! We are linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the great writing. Emilie Shane Suzanne
I really enjoy the post. Really thank you! Want more. Horatia Tyrus Kyrstin
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This post posted at this website is really fastidious. Claribel Jerome Simone
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
You made some nice points there. I looked on the internet for the subject matter and found most individuals will agree with your site.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!