The Chemistry Of Kissing

Kissing might just seem like a way of passing time with the man in your life, but it really triggers a chemical response that promotes mating and reproduction. Helen Fisher, a researcher at Rutgers University in New Jersey, conducted brain imaging studies and believes a kiss, or full-on make-out session, can activate chemicals that arouse different areas of the brain used for sex and reproduction. One brain system locking lips can stimulate is the one related to romantic or passionate love, which Fisher said causes a person to focus on one mate. The second is attachment, which helps prolong the relationship, at least long enough to raise a child. And the third is sex drive, which is related closely to testosterone. “We do have evidence that saliva has testosterone in it. And there is also evidence that men like sloppier kisses, and more open-mouthed kisses. That suggests to me they are unconsciously trying to transfer testosterone to trigger the sex drive in women,” said Fisher. So just when we thought we’d been liberated enough that kissing and sex are random acts of our choosing, our bodies remind us of the true purpose—reproduction. Ugh. [Reuters]