Tuesday 25 November 2014

Why Kiss

"And they finally get together. Wait a second, he's leaning in. She is leaning in too! Uggghhh. NOT AGAIN. LIKE SERIOUSLY. WHY do they have to show this in the end of every single movie? It's so gross!" - My eleven year old sister.

I've always wondered why people indulge in the act of swapping spit, germs and bacteria. There are so many other ways to show your affection for someone else! In fact, just caring about that person should be enough. (Atleast that's what I believe right now)

Take a look at animals for instance. Not many of them lock lips the way humans do. Yet, their ways to show affection aren't completely different. Nuzzling against each other (horses), sweet talking perhaps (they must be doing that in animal language, right?), rubbing each others noses and a play fight - all of which humans do too. Anyways, I digress. Most people just do it (Nike!) - kiss -because it makes them feel good. They don't stop to think about the WHY. Come to think of it, the reason you kiss is because you see it in movies or people doing it themselves! But ever felt puzzled over who the first person to kiss was?

So my friends, Why kiss? 

Initially, mothers used to feed their children by chewing it themselves and transferring it to their mouth. It is believed that lip to lip contact soon became a symbol of love - minus the food of course! But obviously there is much more between the lines now.

Kissing helps you choose a good mate. You aren't really making the choice consciously. Sometimes, it puts you off. This is because of the information excahnged and processed subconsciously. At other times, it excites you. The information sent to your brain is once again responsible! It is also observed that women are more attracted to men with opposite immune systems, which would also provide the best protection for offspring. So basically, it's a test that checks your compatibility with the other person.

Another reason why you might enjoy eating your partners face is because five out of twelve cranial nerves are activatede. Also, lips are noted to be one of the most sensitive parts of the body having a high number of receptor cells that send sensations to the brain. Another thing that happens is the release of Dopamine and Oxytocin. Oxytocin is also called the love hormone - animals that produce large amounts of it mate for life, while those who don't have multiple mates and are practically loners!

Oh btw, here is an interesting fact. Texting releases Oxytocin too! Now you understand why it's so addicting, don't you? :P

Thanks for reading!
Kanksha :)


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