Q: Why do I so hate those big, sloppy kisses men seem to like? Is it me?
A. No. There’s more going on in that kiss than you know. And you’re right: Men, who scientists say like bigger, wetter kisses with more tongue involvement than women do, may actually be transferring testosterone to their would-be lovers in those wet kisses, in order to put them in the mood for more kissing. (Clearly it doesn’t work for you!) When it works, researchers say, two other hormones may play a big part in furthering the action. For kissing involves not only the bonding hormone, oxytocin (found in abundance in new mothers), but also the stress hormone cortisol (found in abundance in everyone). Kissing–and holding hands, although to a lesser degree–both reduce the stress hormone and increase the bonding hormone. Which may account for why more than 90 percent of all human societies practice kissing.
And when you DO find a guy whose kissing style you like, you’ll reap the benefits in reduced stress levels and increased bonding. For here’s my favorite finding: Kissing and holding hands reduce stress the most in those couples who have been together the longest.
That’s the kind of science The Love Goddesses loves to hear.
