That strange gesture that involves pressing your lips against someone else's may seem intriguing, but there are many reasons why we kiss.
Although we kiss for various reasons - out of love, joy or as a sign of greeting, the act of kissing can really seem a bit unusual.
Did you know that a simple kiss, in which only two muscles are involved, burns about 2-3 calories, while a more passionate kiss involving 23-34 muscles can burn up to 5-26 calories per minute? Fascinating, isn't it?
Although many theories have been put forward about kisses and why we practice them, there are a few interesting facts that explain them.
First, kissing causes a chemical reaction in the brain that releases oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," which induces feelings of affection. This chemical is essential for strengthening the bond between people.
Some kisses are the product of romantic love. The feeling of excitement and butterflies in the stomach that accompany the beginning of love are the result of the release of dopamine, known as the "hormone of happiness".
However, kisses often have a sexual motivation as well. Older research suggests that women judge potential partners based on a kiss, while men use kisses to increase levels of sex hormones and proteins that help prepare a partner for intimacy.
Of course, apart from all these reasons, kissing is simply pleasurable. Lips are full of nerve endings, so the feeling of touch and closeness brings pleasure and relaxation.
In essence, kissing is an act that causes many chemical reactions in our body, while simultaneously strengthening bonds and providing pleasure.
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