We all (hopefully) know the amazing feeling that comes with that first kiss. But did you know how powerful that effect really is? Some studies even suggest that more of your brain fires up during a first kiss than during sex!
Your lips make up one of your body’s densest nerve ending zones – up to 200 times more sensitive than your supersensitive fingertips! So, kissing ignites an amazingly large section of your brain as you pick up every sensation.
Before lovers lock lips
The anticipation of a kiss can fire up your brain’s reward pathways, says Sheril Kirshenbaum, author of The Science of Kissing. Kirshenbaum adds that the more anticipation you feel leading up to a kiss, the greater the dopamine spike you experience. This pleasure hormone energises your brain and senses, setting you up to fully absorb sensory information.
Sealing the deal
When that kiss finally happens, here’s why it may feel like time is standing still:
- You are wrapped in each other’s scent, and this kiss will either make or break the attraction, because our personal chemicals play a big part in the mating game.
- If you’re REALLY attracted to your kissing partner: at the thrill of this kiss, your brain dumps a bunch of dopamine – your body’s own pleasure drug – into your system! This is what makes everything else seem to disappear.
- So much excitement alerts your adrenal glands to release adrenalin. This hormone is the one that gives you sweaty palms, heavy breathing and pounding heart!
- If this is a kiss of your dreams, your pituitary glands may release the “bonding hormone”, oxytocin – this could mean you are forming an emotional attachment.
- If you are strongly attracted to your partner, the kiss sends shock waves throughout your body that can sends more blood to certain areas of your body, such as: butterflies in your stomach, or erect nipples or penis.
Kissing can boost happiness and reduce tension levels, and, therefore, a fantastic way to help your body cope with stress!
Enjoy!
The Hello Doctor Team
Xxx
Joanne Hart for HelloDoctor.com
Source:
http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/your-brain-first-kiss
https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/kiss-science-smooching
http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/your-brain-first-kiss