8 Huge Health Benefits of Kissing You Never Knew Existed (2024)

"Usually, when you have an allergy, your body overreacts by producing IgE, an antibody to a specific allergen," says Srini Pillay, M.D., a Harvard psychiatrist. "But in these groups, after kissing, this antibody was decreased, thereby decreasing the allergic reaction and symptoms."

5. Kissing can help lower blood pressure

According to Ryan Neinstein, M.D., a plastic surgeon in New York City, our lips are made up of blood vessels, which become dilated during kissing. “The blood is then directed toward the face and away from the rest of the body," he says, "so the demand on the heart goes down, resulting in lower blood pressure."

Also, remember that fact about cortisol? When your cortisol level is lower, so is your blood pressure. "The more you kiss, the more your heart races, and the more your blood flows, ultimately reducing high blood pressure,” Dr. Neinstein says.

6. Kissing can help delay signs of aging

Another reason to kiss as much as possible: The increased blood flow to your face can stimulate collagen production and contribute to antiaging. "The higher blood flow increases the number of small blood vessels helping to nourish the machinery of the skin,” Dr. Neinstein says. It also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which is the substance “that beautiful skin is made of.”

“In order to move your lips, your whole face has to get involved, which increases elasticity," Dr. Neinstein says. "Have you seen face yoga or facercises? There are yogis, estheticians, and dermatologists training women to do exercises for their face to stimulate collagen and lessen the need for a face-lift. Passionate kissing can lead to firming the face, especially its bottom half.”

7. Kissing is kind of like a treadmill—for your face

While a “simple” kiss burns only a calorie or two, tongue kissing uses all the muscles in your face and can burn up to 26 calories per minute.

“There are 43 muscles in your face and eight in your tongue,” Dr. Hartselle says. “Kissing increases the blood supply to those areas by dilation of the vessels, and it’s possible that the muscle workout, combined with the facial flushing, in extended kissing sessions allows your facial muscles to be healthier and revitalized.”

8. It increases your sex drive

This one may seem obvious, but Rachel Abrams, M.D., an integrative health expert and author, points out that testosterone—the hormone responsible for sex drive in both women and men—is released into saliva during prolonged kissing.

“In a study, males were more likely than females to initiate open-mouth kissing and kissing with tongue contact, and male saliva contains measurable amounts of the sex hormone testosterone, which can affect libido,” Dr. Abrams says. “Testosterone is also an antidepressant, and it helps with mental focus.”

Another fun fact: Women who kiss other women also exchange testosterone, since we’ve got it too. So whether your partner is male or female, you're sharing hormones and pheromones.

Helaina Hovitz is an editor, a journalist, and the author of After 9/11. She can be found on Twitter and Facebook or at helainahovitz.com.

8 Huge Health Benefits of Kissing You Never Knew Existed (2024)

FAQs

What does kissing do for a man? ›

Kissing causes a chemical reaction in your brain, including a burst of the hormone oxytocin. It's often referred to as the “love hormone,” because it stirs up feelings of affection and attachment. According to a 2013 study, oxytocin is particularly important in helping men bond with a partner and stay monogamous.

Why is kissing important to a woman? ›

Kissing influences neurotransmitters and hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, which also play a significant role in our relationships,” Kirshenbaum says. Oxytocin, for example, is linked with feelings of closeness, intimacy, and security. Showing affection with people you love can boost oxytocin.

What are the benefits of intense kissing? ›

Kissing helps reduce blood pressure

“Kissing passionately gets your heartbeat revved in a healthy way that helps lower your blood pressure,” says Demirjian. “It dilates your blood vessels – blood is flowing in a good, solid fashion and getting to all your vital organs.”

What happens if we kiss on girls neck? ›

Your neck's curve can look very desirable to your partner. It can be a huge turn-on for your partner. They will start nibbling, sucking and kissing your neck and go slow, to make the feeling last longer. The nerve endings on the neck are very sensitive that can turn pleasurable when flickered with.

Why do guys lift you up when kissing? ›

They really like kissing you.

If you and your partner are making out and they suddenly reach their hands up to cup your face, they're probably having a good time. You can take it as a compliment and return the favor. They also might stroke your cheek or grab the back of your head. These are all good signs!

What do men like when kissing? ›

Kissing the cheek and jaws: To take a little break from your smooch, kiss his cheeks and jawline. Kissing on the jawline is a turn on for many men. You could just move your lips and use a little bit of tongue while doing this. You can also turn on a man by licking his ears.

Why do guys like kissing so much? ›

It makes him feel a strong connection to you.

Some guys yearn for romantic relationships with lots of affection and touching. What is this? Kissing can provide both these things. It's the start of a physical relationship where he feels your soft lips, making him want to explore the rest of you.

Why do we kiss with our eyes closed? ›

Basically what this means is that in order for us to fully enjoy that passionate kiss, we automatically close our eyes so our brain can concentrate. 'If we are focusing strongly on a visual task, this will reduce our awareness of stimuli in other senses,' Dr Polly Dalton told The Sunday Times.

What is the extreme desire to kiss? ›

The sudden urge to kiss someone.

What happens if we kiss deeply? ›

Deep kissing increases the flow of saliva, which helps to keep the mouth, teeth and gums healthy. Increased immunity – exposure to germs that inhabit your partner's mouth strengthens your immune system.

What is the excessive desire to kiss someone? ›

The sudden urge to kiss someone is known as basorexia, and some researchers believe that it's not just a desire but one of 156 distinct human emotions.

What is butterfly kiss? ›

: the act or an instance of fluttering one's eyelashes against another person's skin. "… I've invented a new way of kissing. You do it with your eye-lashes." "I've known that for years. It's called a butterfly kiss." Evelyn Waugh.

Why does ear kissing feel good? ›

The large number of nerve endings makes the ear a particularly sensitive part of the body. In addition, the ear's function in spatial awareness can make ear stimulation even more powerful during intercourse. The sensitivity and power of the ears may explain why they can feel erogenous for many people.

Can kissing her neck turn her on? ›

Your neck's curve can look very desirable to your partner. It can be a huge turn-on for your partner. They will start nibbling, sucking and kissing your neck and go slow, to make the feeling last longer. The nerve endings on the neck are very sensitive that can turn pleasurable when flickered with.

How do you tell if he is turned on? ›

20 signs that indicate you really turn him on
  1. He initiates physical contact.
  2. He puts some extra effort into his physical appearance.
  3. There's a lot of flirting.
  4. His voice sounds deeper when he's talking to you.
  5. He stares at you, and not just your face.
  6. Firm and tense (but confused) movements.
  7. You catch him blushing.
Aug 3, 2022

Where do you touch a guy when hugging? ›

7 pleasure spots every guy wants you to touch
  • 01/8​7 pleasure spots every guy wants you to touch. <p>Ladies, here's how you can step up your game of seduction to next level! ...
  • 02/8Nape. ...
  • 03/8​Back of the ears. ...
  • 04/8​Butt. ...
  • 05/8​Inner thighs. ...
  • 06/8​Perineum. ...
  • 07/8​Nipples. ...
  • 08/8​Feet.
Jun 19, 2017

How to kiss him deeply? ›

You may want to first use your tongue to gently tickle his lips and/or the edge of his teeth (some men find this very sexy) before connecting your tongue with his. When your tongues do touch, pause to see how he reacts. If it's positive, continue kissing and gently stroke the back of his neck.

What is a guy's weakness spot? ›

His perineum

In case if you were wondering, the perineum is the area between his anus and testicl*s. It is super sensitive and is often ignored as his man jewels tend to steal all the attention. A few gentle strokes in the right spot will get him into a full-on pleasure frenzy!

What do you say to a guy while making out? ›

List Of Romantic Things To Say While Kissing
  • 'Where else do you want to kiss me later? ...
  • 2. ' ...
  • 'It drives me crazy when you look at me that way. ...
  • 'You're the sexiest person I've ever seen. ...
  • 'This feels so amazing… ...
  • 'I love how passionately you kiss. ...
  • 'I want to feel those lips all over me.

What is the most romantic type of kiss? ›

French kiss is regarded as the kiss for lovers. It is the most passionate and erotic kiss. You need to use your tongue for this kiss.

What makes a man crave a woman? ›

Feeling Of Closeness: We all crave intimacy and cherish the feeling of closeness. Everyone wants someone with whom we can share most of our thoughts, emotions, and feelings as we navigate through the uncertainties of life. Consistent Understanding, trust, and transparency between a man and a woman develop intimacy.

What makes a man feel connected to a woman? ›

In plain language: Men often feel most loved by the women in their lives when their partners hug them, kiss them, smile at them, and explicitly offer gratitude, praise, and words of affection. Men also feel loved and connected through sexuality, often to a greater degree than women do.

What does it mean when a guy kisses you with tongue? ›

07/8French kiss

When a man kisses you with their tongue, it means that they are head over heels for you. There is nothing that excites them anymore except for you. A French kiss is a sign of attraction and desire and if he kisses you with so much passion, he sure wants you.

What does an eye kiss mean? ›

Also known as an eye kiss, the angel kiss is one that's placed on the closed eyelids of your partner. It indicates fondness and can be a sweet way to wake your partner up in the morning.

Is it right to open eyes while kissing? ›

In his book, Passionate Marriage, Dr. David Schnarch recommends that couples who are battling to connect sexually should try kissing with their eyes open – specifically as a tool during foreplay leading up to sex. When you move in for a kiss, don't close your eyes. Keep them open and look right at your partner.

Is kissing a learned behavior? ›

A kiss might seem like a natural thing to do for most of us, but the scientific jury is still out on whether it is a learned or instinctual behaviour. Approximately 90 per cent of cultures kiss, making a strong case for the act being a basic human instinct.

What do you call a person who loves kissing? ›

Kisser Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary. Dictionary.

Where do you like to kiss the most? ›

When it comes to kissing women, some of their favorite places are obvious, while others are frequently overlooked.
  • Ears. The ears are an often-neglected area of the body that can be the site of intense pleasure for her and using your mouth is the best way to stimulate them. ...
  • Back of the neck. ...
  • Face. ...
  • Collarbone. ...
  • Hips. ...
  • Breasts.
May 15, 2015

How does a guy feel when you kiss? ›

If he's in a silly or happy mood, he's totally spellbound.

A long kiss releases dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, feel-good chemicals that will make him smile. A single smile produces endorphins, another hormone that lifts his mood. Endorphins also create a “feedback loop” that will make him smile over and over.

What does a kiss mean to a man? ›

Some men view kissing as something exciting at the beginning of a relationship, but as time passes, they start to think of it as a simple prelude to sex. Other guys love kissing and are passionate about it. One tip for how to tell if a guy likes kissing you is if he always lingers and could kiss you for hours.

What does a man think when kissing? ›

He's thinking about how much he likes you when a guy kisses you. He may be thinking about your smile, your eyes, your hair, or your lips. He may also be thinking about how soft and warm your lips feel, or how good you taste at a truly passionate kiss.

Do men enjoy kissing? ›

"Men also get romantic pleasure and connection from kissing, and both men and women will use kissing to advance to more intimate sexual acts," Mr. Christian says.

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