Kissing has been one of the least studied aspects of human sexuality. If you want to learn about the science behind sex, research has covered just everything from preheating your oven, to overcooking his wiener. Why is this true? Well, because there’s big money in the study of private parts. If not from the manufacturers of herbs and drugs that claim to bolster your performance, it is from the millions of couples who are looking for the best bang for their buck, if you pardon the expression.
It has really been in just the last few years that kissing has undergone some pretty extensive research, but what has been uncovered has been nothing short of amazing. Let’s look at a few of the amazing discoveries of what kissing can do for you.
The Not So Romantic
Some researchers believe one way to explain why kissing crosses the gambit of over 90 percent of the entire human population, is through osculation, the prehistoric practice where a mother chewed her baby’s food before feeding it to them via mouth to mouth. It may sound a little unsavory, however, researchers have suggested that this could be why two out of three couples prefer to tip their head to the right while kissing. This is considering that the majority of women feed their baby cradled against their left shoulder, with their baby’s head tilted to the right.
Saliva Monitor
Other researchers claim the idea of osculation falls flat, considering the number of other animal species engaging in kissing-like behaviors, including birds, elephants, and primates. Instead, it has been suggested that kissing is an acute method for couples to “taste” each other, thus deciding whether or not they make a good match. Somewhere between 60 to 70 percent of all first kisses will end on a sour note due to the brain’s detection of mismatched gene lineage.
Touch, Smell, and Feel of a Kiss
Some scientists report one reason our lips, tongue, face, nose (smell) and ears (sound) are so sensitive compared to other parts of our body, is that our brain has adapted to kissing as a means of choosing the most appropriate mate. This genetic guide has proven so strong, it doesn’t matter how good of a kisser a guy may be, if his genetic makeup if off, his pucker will fall flat.
What Makes a Good Kiss?
Despite the genetic advantage some men have over others, hygiene is still important when leaving a girl with a kiss she’ll dream about for the rest of the night. The majority of women rate the pleasantness of a kiss by a guy’s smell and taste. Men appear to be much less sensitive to this, paying the majority of their attention to the sounds she makes while kissing.
Why Some Men Like it Sloppy?
Women complain of sloppy kissers, but studies show there may be a reason for this madness. Considering a man’s senses are not quite up to par with ours, it has been suggested he could be trying to take in as much of her saliva as he can, analyzing to determine her fertility status. Closer to the truth, however, could be that he has adapted this method of fourplay as a means to transfer as much saliva to her as possible, considering it is laced with testosterone, which is natures number one aphrodisiac.
Man Barometer
A lot of research has suggested that men can use a kiss as a sort of barometer to decipher just how interested a woman is in him. Women unconsciously provide clues to our level of commitment through the enthusiasm of a kiss. Guys on the other hand, make poor barometers, as they are just as sexually charged from the first kiss to the one hundred and first.
Kissing as a Precursor to Sex
According to studies, men require kissing as a prerequisite to sex at least 50 percent of the time, while women require kissing 85 percent of the time. This offers proof to the theory that women (and some men) screen their partners for genetic compatibility before getting down to the business of making babies.
Chocolate May be the Only Competition of a Kiss
There is one chemical substance that tastes sweeter than the most genetically gifted beauties in all the world–chocolate. In studies, chocolate gave lovers (both men and women) a passion “buzz” that lasted long after even the most passionate kissing session could. With this in mind, a chocolate treat prior to making out might just offer an advantage to those who are already on the cusp of genetic rejection.
Pair Bonding
Kissing is thought to release oxytocin in the brain, which not only creates pleasure, but also offers a sense of love and unity with a partner. It can be argued that kissing is part of the glue that helps keep couples together long after the initial infatuation has wore off.
Love Vaccine
Who would have thought that germ swapping between lovers is actually good for you. In the process known as cross-immunotherapy, 20 percent of our unique bacteria is transferred to the mouth of our partner, prompting their immune system to create anti-bodies, which makes them less susceptible to illness. It is also these very antibodies that help protect developing embryos in the womb.
So many great things come from such a simple tradition, and yet most scientists promise–We have only just begun to scratch the surface of the benefits of a single kiss.