What makes kissing special

Women experience a flood of oxytocin during childbirth and breastfeeding, strengthening the mother-child bond. Speaking of feeding, many believe that kissing came from the practice of kiss-feeding. Much like birds feeding worms to their little chicks, mothers used to — and some still do — feed their children their chewed up food.

The more you get of these hormones, the more your body wants them. For some, this may be more apparent at the start of a relationship — especially if most of your time is spent in a lip lock. If you can keep up a steady pace of kissing after that initial spark fizzles, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of those happy hormones. You may even have a more satisfying relationship.

In a study , couples in long-term relationships who frequently kissed reported increased relationship satisfaction.

Older research shows that for women, kissing is a way to size up a potential mate. It also plays an important role in their decision to hit the sheets. Female participants said they were less likely to have sex with someone without kissing first. Open mouth and tongue kissing are especially effective in upping the level of sexual arousal , because they increase the amount of saliva produced and exchanged.

You can thank the many nerve endings in your lips for their part in making kissing feel so very good. Your lips have more nerve endings than any other part of your body. When you press them against another set of lips or even warm skin, it just feels good.

Along with the oxytocin and dopamine that make you feel affection and euphoria, kissing releases serotonin — another feel-good chemical. It also lowers cortisol levels so you feel more relaxed, making for a good time all around. Kissing feels great and does the body good. Contact Support. Log Out. Your cart is empty. Our online classes and training programs allow you to learn from experts from anywhere in the world.

Explore Classes. Written by Amari D. Amari D. Pollard is a writer and audience development strategist. Her writing focuses on politics, culture, relationships, and health, and she has been published at The Week, Bustle, PopSugar, Reader's Digest, and more. Expert review by Kristina Hallett, Ph. Board-certified Clinical Psychologist. Kristina Hallett, Ph. She has a private practice in Suffield, Connecticut. April 9, Why do humans kiss when other animals don't?

How kissing influences our relationships. Why does kissing feel good? She is currently a Roy H. More On This Topic Sex. Kelly Gonsalves. With Megan Bruneau, M. Personal Growth. Sarah Regan. Eliza Sullivan. Latest Articles Off-the-Grid. Emma Loewe. Jamie Schneider. Integrative Health. Other than those kinds of broad rules, kissing is a lot like sex in its uniqueness. Each person has their own preferences, which can change throughout their lifetime. As a sex educator, coach, and human with kissing experience, I know that what makes a toe-curling kiss for one person might fall flat for somebody else.

Some people prefer a rougher, more intense kiss, while others want it slow and soft. For some, enjoyment of a kiss may depend entirely on the context. Instead, there are a lot of different ways you can take your kisses to an entirely new level depending on what you and your partner like. Here, 14 people share exactly what makes a stellar kiss for them. Asking for permission to kiss someone may seem stodgy, but it can honestly be hot.

For some people, this is a sign of respect that will make them want to kiss you even more. Kim, 37, from Illinois, recommends straight-up asking someone if they want to be kissed. Norma, 60, from Canada, totally agrees about asking first. Her best-ever kiss was when she was 15 years old, and the vocal consent was part of what made it so memorable.

I'm 60 now, [and I] still think of him in the most special way. As you may have experienced, an unexpected tongue darting in and out of your mouth can be an unwelcome surprise. Melissa, 25, from Illinois, agrees. Among people who love French kissing, everyone has a different threshold for the intensity.

Melissa is in the less-tongue-is-better camp.