Wanting to go into dentistry, people think I am weird because I want to work with mouths all day. To be honest it can be pretty gross, but have you ever thought about how gross a kiss could be? For about every 10 seconds you kiss someone you are transferring about 80 million bacteria. Yes, we all have natural bacterial flora in our mouths but they are not all the same. There must be a reason we do it right?
One reason is thought because it makes us feel good. Our lips are full of receptor cells making them sensitive. With every kiss the receptors send signals to your brain to release dopamine, endorphins and if they are a really good kisser oxytocin. This all leads to you wanting to kiss more and building an attachment for the other person. Another idea is that since humans have a poor olfactory skills we developed this to taste how similar or different an individual is biochemically. Kissing is not unique to humans, dogs and cats lick one another, and primates often kiss each other. A third thought is that it started from kiss-feeding behaviors and then became known as an act of endearment.
No matter how it came about, how it makes you feel or how gross it is you will probably still do it. So pick your individual wisely.
Dodgson, L. (2017, October 13). We share 80 million bacteria when we kiss each other - here's why we enjoy it anyway. Retrieved December 04, 2017, from http://www.businessinsider.com/why-we-enjoy-kissing-even-though-its-gross-2017-10
Great post Amanda!
ReplyDeleteSuper interesting article. I wonder if cavemen kissed too or I if this was an evolutionary adaptation that developed later on. I would believe that, other than feeling good and releasing oxytocin, we developed the notion of kissing as a means of potentially boosting our immune system by introducing so much more diverse bacteria into our mouths and bodies. However, this immune system notion probably only works while we are still young (probably in teen years and early twenties) since our immune system is “fixed” by the time we are adults.
Also, kissing helps relieve stress and initiates sex drive by releasing tons of “happy” chemicals besides oxytocin: dopamine, endorphins, adrenaline, pheromones, and phenylethylamine (also found in chocolate). You also burn calories (about 6.4 per minute) and you use muscles that help tone your face (aka keep a youthful look).
References:
Davis, J. L. (2001). What's So Great About Kissing? Retrieved December 04, 2017, from https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/kissing-benefits#4
n.n, Lucy. “The science behind kissing: 10 things that happen when we kiss.” Sparkly Science, 21 June 2015, sparklyscience.com/2015/06/21/the-science-behind-kissing-10-things-that-happen-when-we-kiss/.
When you say "pick your individual wisely" you aren't kidding! A lot of the bacteria in our mouths can be harmless and kissing can be wonderful, but it's not all fun and games; we still have to be careful and wary of the other harmful bacteria and viruses that is out there as well. The virus I am talking about in particular is the Ebstein-Barr Virus (EBV) which is the primary cause of Mononucleosis or "The Kissing Disease" DUN DUN DUNNNN! This virus has the potential to kill you if not treated and is commonly contracted by teenagers due to all the makeout seshes and sharing of drinks and lip balms since this virus is spread by saliva. The virus messes with your body's homeostasis and causes symptoms such as: fevers, nausea, and inflammation. Your body works hard to maintain homeostasis, so once it hits that "set-point" and realizes you have a fever, it tries to bring you back down to homeostasis thus you may get the "chills" when you have a fever. Also in order to help combat the virus your body will begin to make a crap ton more white blood cells to fight off the infection, which may explain the inflammation of some areas in your body. Better safe than sorry, so err on the side of caution and don't share drinks and chap sticks with other people, and if your gonna kiss someone do the logical thing and have them fill out a questionnaire of all the viruses and diseases they've ever had before going in for the smooch. (sarcasm)
ReplyDeleteReference:
Bushak, L. (2014, May 16). Mono A Mono: How The Kissing Disease Knocked Me Off My Feet And Taught Me Personal Health. Retrieved December 05, 2017, from http://www.medicaldaily.com/mono-mono-how-kissing-disease-knocked-me-my-feet-and-taught-me-personal-health-283140