The anatomy of kissing

Kissing simply means touching somebody with your lips as a sign of love, affection or sexual desire. Because of its personal nature very few of us talk about it in public. However, it is interesting to ascertain the origin, importance, risks and neurological aspects of kissing from a broader perspective.

Anthropologists believe that kissing might have originated with human mothers feeding their babies in the same way birds do. They have also observed the behaviour of other animal species. For instance, many mammals lick the faces of their young and birds touch one another's bills in a romantic way. In certain situations, some animals can be seen grooming one another which is a substitute for kissing. Then there are other animals that smell the scent glands on faces or in mouths.

Whether we are following other animals or not, human beings kiss each other when they meet the right partner. Very often two people develop a strong friendship before starting a love affair. Before giving or receiving an intimate kiss the lovers look into each other's eyes. During this eye contact some mysterious things happen. Within minutes the couple lock their lips in a kiss.

Sensation

Kissing is not something preplanned. It simply happens spontaneously. The sensation the lovers experience is something beyond explanation. Psychologists who have paid attention to this aspect of human relationship say that long gazes may have been a necessary neural prelude to kissing. Even neuroscientists now believe that eyes are windows on the soul.

When two lovers' eyes meet they develop a close association with that part of the brain which is sensitive to eye contact. Women, more than men, avoid a man's gaze if she does not wish to begin a romantic relationship. Psychologists tell us that the part of the brain that is strategic in romantic relationships is just behind the orbit of the eyes. By the way, this is the uppermost part of the brain connected with emotion.

When we look at a member of the opposite sex, we invite that person to interact with us. In the process of the interaction, eye contact is registered. Eyes play a major role in synchronising what happens between two people. Those who like each other's company engage in more eye contact than those who do not have such a relationship.Two intriguing facts have emerged from eye contact. One is that when we see something or somebody interesting our pupils dilate. On the other hand, we also like people with dilated pupils than those with contracted pupils.

Antibodies

The physiological aspect of kissing is even more astounding. According to some medical authorities, an act of kissing puts 29 facial muscles in motion. While kissing lovers swap saliva containing various substances such as fat, mineral salts and proteins. According to a recent study, the exchange of these substances can boost the production of antibodies that are specifically associated with certain diseases.

According to another expert, millions of bacterial colonies move from one mouth to another during kissing. Doctors have also linked kissing to the spread of diseases such as meningitis and herpes.An anthropologist says that 90 percent of the people in the world kiss despite all such risks.

Most people look forward to their first romantic kiss and remember it for the rest of their lives. Apart from lovers, parents kiss children and worshippers kiss religious artefacts. Some people even kiss the ground when they get off a plane.

Narcotic effect

Another study on kissing has revealed that the bodies of those engaged in kissing produce a substance that is 200 times more powerful than morphine in terms of narcotic effect. This is true because kissing partners experience feelings of euphoria and bliss in the process.

Unknown to many of us, an intimate kiss suggests a very powerful link that facilitates instantaneous coordination of thoughts and feelings. A kiss usually tells how we feel about a person and how we respond. For instance, we never kiss a person we do not like.

It is said that men who kiss their wives goodbye before going to work live five years longer than those who just slam the door! Men of the latter category are said to be more prone to traffic accidents.

Modern research suggests that just about in every culture on the planet kissing is prevalent. However, according to anthropologists, some people living in Asia, Africa and South America do not kiss at all. Some of these cultures view kissing as something disgusting. However, we never know whether they kiss in private and are reluctant to talk about it in public!