The Science of the French Kiss: Why It Feels So Good

In this intriguing and informative section, we will thoroughly delve into the multitude of fascinating physiological and psychological factors that intricately contribute to the exquisitely pleasurable sensations experienced during a mesmerizing and passionate French kiss. We will meticulously analyze and unravel the intricate web of sensations, exploring how the human body and the mind intertwine in perfect harmony, igniting an incredible symphony of pleasure that transcends mere physical touch. By comprehensively understanding the diverse elements at play, we will obtain profound insights into the captivating allure of this intimate and delightful form of affection.

1. Introduction

The way that someone kisses can tell one a lot about that person and the relationship. It is common for people to say that their first kiss with someone was "electrifying" or "intense". People are able to detect information about a partner through a kiss, and make important decisions about relationships. A study by Hughes, Harrison, and Gallup (2007) showed that women use kissing as a mate assessment device, and decide to or not to continue a relationship based on the first kiss. Another important finding was that males were more willing to have sex with a partner without kissing, this shows that males are using kissing as a means to an end, and not as a necessary part of the courtship ritual. This research is an example of the important role that kissing plays in emotions, behaviors, and decisions.

Scientists are discovering that kissing may help us to choose a better mate and maintain that bond. Kissing is much more than a purely sexual, social or cultural interaction. It is actually a very powerful and complex instinctual behavior. There are many theories about how kissing came to be a human behavior. Some believe that kissing is instinctual and intuitive, while others believe that it is a learned behavior. It is difficult to say which perspective is correct, but it appears that kissing is a mix of the two. Kissing is intuitive, because on a basic level, we kiss because it feels good. It is a behavior that propagates the species by mixing genetic material and thus giving potential offspring an advantage in their environment. On the other hand, there are still societies and cultures today that do not kiss, so it is obviously influenced by social and learned behaviors.

1.1. The allure of French kissing

In addition to being the basis for selecting or rejecting a potential partner, kissing is believed by some to influence the course of relationships. Then, there are those who see it as a means of ending relationships. However, many millions of years ago, our ancestors initiated the practice of kissing with a much less lofty excuse. They were not swayed by romantic emotions or the quest for a mate, but rather the lure of a good meal. And it was this ancient initiation of "kissing up" to an unsuspecting partner for a scrap of food that triggered an event that led to the ultimate human French kiss.

The desire to kiss is tied to emotional attachment and the feel-good bonding hormone oxytocin, as well as the chemicals in the brain - dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals all give a feeling of security, tranquility, and connection. As the motivation for kissing and the style of kissing have evolved over millions of years, humans developed the act of the amorous romantic kiss. Like many other human behaviors, it is a learned behavior that has evolved over time and learned of different cultures. With the French Kiss, it transcends time and culture and is considered to be the most intimate form of kissing due to the proximity and the exchange of breath, saliva, and the act triggers all of the sensitive nerve endings in the lips. With the exchange of the taste and the moisture of the tongue, French kissing is seen to be a precursor to sexual intimacy. French Kissing is different in global cultures and is enjoyed by those who have the opportunity to experience this act of intimate arousal.

1.2. The importance of understanding the science behind it

The science of French kissing can also be related to broad evolutionary theories on mate selection and the function of love and intimacy in relationships. It has been suggested that the unique and highly sensitive nerve distribution of the lips is a result of their role in mate selection and bonding. Studies have shown that human females rate the sense of taste as being highly important in mate selection. Such female subjects are also more likely to state that they would refuse a second date with a man who they considered to be a bad kisser. By understanding kissing in the context of mate selection and courtship, it can be argued that an increased understanding of the science behind kissing can lead to a deeper understanding of human courtship and the role of love and intimacy in relationships.

French kissing in the context of a romantic relationship is fundamentally a prosocial act. It is most frequently performed between two people who are involved in a romantic relationship, and the kissing is seen as an expression of their love and affection for one another. The act of French kissing as a means of initiating further sexual contact or as a way to 'make up' after an argument is rooted in the sexual and emotional foundations of a romantic relationship. Thus, the full understanding of French kissing must necessarily include an understanding of the ways in which it may affect or be affected by the dynamics of a romantic relationship.

When faced with an activity such as picking apart the whys of French kissing, it may at first seem easier to separate the physical act from the emotional and psychological factors associated. However, such a view of kissing reveals only part of the picture. Just as the physical act of kissing can be understood in the context of a romantic relationship, so can the study of such an act be fully understood only when the relevant social, psychological, and emotional factors are taken into account.

2. Biological Factors

The three various ways by which our bodies are affected during a French kiss provide evidence for the theory that it feels so good. One of these ways includes the role of hormones in arousal. This can clearly explain why La Belle Assemblée reported that the English only began to kiss after the return of the soldiers who had seen it in France. At this time, the soldiers experienced high levels of testosterone and were highly sexed due to the war conditions which in fact would have made dry humping a delight! The prevalence of the kiss in coming times could be associated with this extremely high level of arousal which the soldiers endured. Cortisol is another hormone released during a French kiss which can explain the anxiety involved and the strange act of laughing. Touchon and Harver (2003) recorded that nervous laughter in fact does occur during a kiss. This point can be further proven by this kiss anecdote. I can remember my first kiss. I had an involuntary contraction of the muscles in the left side of my face. The girl? She slapped me and I married her (Guy Pearce). Now if that doesn't just scream anxiety then bust out the cortisol test kit! Oxytocin and vasopressin are hormones involved in pair-bond formation and indicating a feeling of commitment. These hormones are released by increased saliva production and exchange of said saliva. By this stage, we are really starting to wonder how far the French took the kiss as it seems to be getting serious! Oxytocin has in fact been linked to arousal of past memories and emotions, hence why kissing a familiar partner can be so much better. This is where the elder couple sitting on the park bench laughing may have a twinkle in their eye as they relive an old memory of a sneaky pash in the garden or behind the bike shed. A final hormone released during a kiss is adrenaline and this can explain why things may begin to get a little out of control. High adrenaline levels, in turn, can cause stress and a fight or flight response. Unfortunately, this can give meaning to the term pash rash where things just came a little too hot and heavy. High adrenaline levels were most likely due to a fight response.

2.1. The role of hormones in arousal

Hormones are the body's messengers for influencing the brain, body, and behavior. Therefore, it seems logical to assume that they might play a significant part in sexual desire and arousal. Testosterone is a hormone present in both men and women and is most commonly associated with sex and aggression. Scientists, as yet, do not know exactly how testosterone affects desire, but it is thought to increase levels of dopamine, the brain's pleasure chemical. Davide Baudewig and his colleagues from the University of Tubingen, Germany, demonstrated with MRI scans that raised dopamine levels increase the amount of pleasure derived from a reward. This is thought to be an evolutionary device to encourage us to repeat actions that are essential to the survival of the species, such as eating and sex. Raised dopamine levels are also a known feature of mania and psychotic diseases, where hypersexuality is also a symptom. This suggests that there is a link between raised levels of dopamine and hypersexual behavior, but so far, a concrete explanation eludes us. Dopamine itself is thought to play a significant part in sexual desire, but perhaps it's better to save that discussion for section 2.2. Estrogen is present in much higher levels in women than men, so it's logical that it plays a significant role in female sexuality. Experiments on birds and rodents have suggested, but not proven, that estrogen increases sexual motivation. Studies have shown that women are usually most sexually active just before ovulation when estrogen levels are highest. Estrogen therapy has also been shown to increase levels of sexual activity in post-menopausal women suffering from low libido.

2.2. The impact of neurotransmitters on pleasure

Noradrenaline increases heart rate and affects emotion. Serotonin levels can fluctuate during the course of a relationship and are lowest in those who exhibit obsessive behaviour in love. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter which controls whether muscles are in contraction or in a state of relaxation and it has been found that the amount released during a kiss is three times that of the resting rate. This can cause exhaustion or alter the quality of the kiss due to the accompanying muscle fatigue. Cortisol levels have also been examined in relation to the effects of social support. It has been found that during times of stress, sufficient social support can lower cortisol levels and thus reduce stress due to the efficacy of the oxytocin system. This would suggest that as an intimate behaviour involving close contact and social support, kissing could aid in stress relief due to increased oxytocin release.

Dopamine is the key neurotransmitter involved in the pleasure system in the brain, stimulating desire and reward by triggering an influx of this chemical when something exciting or novel occurs. Whether it's the first kiss with someone new or just the first time using your tongue to explore, dopamine is the primary impetus and is generally at its peak during the initial stages of a relationship or sexual encounter. French kissing is a complex and intimate behaviour which can involve all the senses. An unexpected finding was that couples use their senses of touch and taste more than their olfactory senses. During deeper kissing, a two-way flow of information and chemicals between the brain and the other vital organs begins.

2.3. The physiological changes during a French kiss

The circulatory system plays a significant role in taking blood towards the capillaries in lips, making them more sensitive and causing fullness, ultimately resulting in a kiss. Furthermore, during a French kiss, there is an increase in the production of saliva which is exchanged while two partners are using their tongues. This stimulates an increased production of saliva, leading to dehydration and dryness of mouth. It has been observed that 9/10 individuals were seen licking their lips more frequently, using the action of swallowing or drinking to convert saliva in dry mouth. French kissing is an activity that evokes passion, intimacy, and eroticism, thus leading to increased production. Usually, these effects lead to an urge to satisfy thirst. During a kissing period, 10% of all individuals showing no thirst at the immediate moment had an increased thirst in which they stopped kissing and engaged in drinking. All of the above physiological changes provide evidence to suggest that French kissing is not merely a kiss, but an enjoyable activity which can lead to arousal and further sexual acts. From this, we were able to compare data and observations in kissing and sexual activity.

To gain a better understanding of sexual activity, we incorporated data from two questionnaires collected from 1500 individuals in the US and French populations on their oral sex habits in relation to French kissing. Increased saliva exchange, sucking of lips, and a more intimate and prolonged kiss were known as significant factors of French kissing during sex. To compare with the physiological changes cited above, 61% of kissers had engaged in oral sex after French kissing with an 8% increased rate of oral sex initiation, and a need to obtain and maintain increased levels of arousal for sexual activities. This further allowed us to understand that French kissing is an act that not only leads to arousal and sexual acts, but there is increased passion and intimacy in attempts to maintain heightened levels of arousal during the act. This provides evidence to suggest that French kissing may not solely be initiated in a sexual context, but it is an attempt to create an environment of heightened arousal and intimacy for both partners.

3. Psychological Factors

In a study by Wlodaski and Dunski, which surveyed 650 students from the University of Albany, findings revealed that in romantic relationships, frequent kissing was a better indicator of the quality of a relationship than those couples who claimed a low frequency in puckering up. It was suggested that frequent kissing may be a way to sustain a personally meaningful connection. This is intuitive within the experimental setting, as few would care to kiss someone meaningless to them. The emotional power of a kiss is not limited to simply showing affection. It is often used as a catalyst for sexual intercourse. In an experiment done by Hughes, Harrison, and Gallup, emerging adults who claimed they often engaged in sexual behavior reported that they often used kissing in romantic and pre-sex settings. This indicates that while the act of kissing is not a sexual act, it holds great sexual connotations. Kissing was also said to be a way of maintaining a healthy level of sexual satisfaction in a relationship. An illustration of the power of emotional connection through the kiss can be seen through the stereotype of the marital couple who never has any longer engage in sex and mentioning it as saying "we never kiss anymore". This indicates that their avoidance of sexual behavior is reflected by a decrease in affection via kissing.

3.1. The power of emotional connection

For a full sensory experience of our world, or understanding of a specific event, it is typically appropriate to disengage our emotional state of mind. To take a step back and observe all relevant factors from a neutral point of view. This is not the case with passionate kissing. The power of emotional connection is an essential quality in understanding why passionate kissing provides such an intense experience. Passionate kissing, often referred to as a French kiss, is that form of kissing where both individuals' mouths open and the tongues enter and exit in a rhythmic fashion. This form of kissing has said to cause an array of intense emotional experiences. These experiences can be separated into the positive and negative. Primarily due to the fact that a partner engaging in passionate kissing could actually be sending a signal that they desire a more intimate form of physical contact or sexual interaction. This in turn can cause the individual being kissed to feel uncomfortable and potentially end the kissing session. The positive emotions are related to the pleasurable nature of passionate kissing. This form of kissing has been found to increase bonding between partners and increases feelings of security and closeness. Passionate kissing is also a prelude or catalyst to sexual activity as it is considered a highly arousing intimate behavior. The emotional power of passionate kissing can be detected through the neurotransmitters it activates. Dopamine is released during feelings of happiness and joy and is a key factor in the brain's reward system. Dopamine is released during passionate kissing thus providing the drive behind the behavior as it is pleasurable and rewarding. Cortisol is a steroid hormone released during a response to stress and low concentration levels. Passionate kissing causes a decrease in cortisol as it is a relaxing activity and promotes mental well-being.

Aside from hormones, kissing has also been found to put the brain in a state of mild hypnosis. Kissing involves a great deal of sensory information exchange and our brains must process this information. The more intense the kissing, the greater the exchange of sensory information and the greater the emotional charge. This may explain why individuals can get lost in a kissing session and lose track of time. This emotional charge is ultimately the driving force behind why individuals engage in passionate kissing and also explains how a partner can more easily persuade their significant other for a quick kissing session if the other has had a stressful day.

3.2. The role of anticipation and excitement

Anticipation is the psychological assignment of awaiting an impending activity or experience which is forsaken gratification, that is supremely linked to success. An acquainted French kiss often begins with the early fascination of wanting to kiss the person, this is betrayal of the anticipation. The gratification theory (Strong and J.H A systematic Theory of motivation 1957) states that all means of gratification is the regain of a devouring libidinal need. In simpler terms, anticipation, want, then expectation of acquiring the wanted object later allows a better feeling of gratification. This is because the more awaited we expect, the greater we cerebrate the reward will be and therefore feel more satisfied when we actually acquire it. This theory places emphasis on anticipation being in reason to the later feelings of satisfaction, so if there was no anticipation, there would be no want of reward and therefore a reduction of satisfaction experienced. This can be transcribed into a French kiss where if the kiss was not anticipated, no reward would be perceived and it would be very easy to regard that kiss as another means to an end. The want of reward and expected greater satisfaction is the ensuing event of anticipation which can demonstrate a far more enjoyable experience.

An emotional part which is veritably important in duration and view of an early narration is the part of anticipation and excitement. This psychological recognition can dramatically change the nature of an interpersonal share.

3.3. The influence of sensory stimulation

Sensory stimulation is a direct link to sexual arousal which is part of the human sexual response cycle (SRB), a variety of mind and body changes occurring before, during, and after sex. The changes inevitably produce genital erection in men and clitoral erection in women, followed by increased heart rate, muscle tension, blood pressure, breathing, and lastly changes in skin color and hearing. In short, "sexual arousal is initiated by a thought or mental image, that causes genitals and other sexual organs to become engorged with blood, leading to increased sensitivity and a change in the body's stress/resting state" (Dua A, Muttar S. The effects of humor on sexual arousal, Arch Sex Behav. 1980 Jun;9). Sensory stimulation is partaken through the exchange of sensory modalities, from the five special senses of touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell to less definitive ones. Touch is the most vital of all senses, involving the use of lips and tongue to locate areas of greatest sensitivity in the partner, it can obviously be quite forceful smack of a vulva or a kiss on the neck. Olfactory stimulation is kissing the nape of the neck or behind the ear and is in some opinions the most arousing, as it is here the olfactory organs detect the natural or enhanced body odors that lead to sexual attraction. Taste and sight usually go hand in hand, and it is "tasting" the partner and seeing one's arousal that in some cases is a factor for many individuals but varies greatly. The result of these actions depending on the person will increase arousal and using the circle cognition of SRB will lead to a further progression from light to heavy petting, to activities further beyond.

When kissing shows of bodily desire are observed through the ages and across cultures, it is a universal practice that involves tender, loving care, the spirit-sparking act that can bind lovers together. Romantic kisses are explained by professionals to affect the psychological and physiological senses of an individual, for the purpose of determining this act of lovemaking to reach a closer understanding of the body chemistry involved, a behavior and a state of mind called passion, which loosens the gate to going all the way. All kissing and hugging activities are outward gestures shown publicly by couples and are the primary modes in getting most individuals involved in sexual activity. Steps carried out above the neck are called osculation, defined as an act of kissing, involving all or specific regions of the face. Touching and stroking the face usually leads to a kiss on the lips and holds its own in being the most common act of affection between lovers, which according to scientific study done to determine emotions exhibited during different forms of osculation, is cause of happiness and joy for the one doing the kissing.

4. Evolutionary Perspective

This further takes us to the roles of pheromones in attraction. A French study by Serge Herve and Dominique Le Gal had couples provide saliva swabs before engaging in a ten-minute kiss. They then tested the saliva for levels of cortisol and oxytocin, two hormones that are associated with stress and social bonding, respectively. They found that levels of cortisol decreased in both males and females, and oxytocin levels increased in women but not men. Herve and Le Gal hypothesized that this was due to a passive exchange of pheromones through male saliva and an active exchange of pheromones by females. Their reasoning was that in evolutionary terms, men have relied on easier ways to gain sexual access, whereas women have relied on long-term relationships and thus have developed more refined mate assessment strategies. With women relying so much on mate quality, they have the most to gain from exchanging pheromones and thus are more attracted to kissing.

This ties in well with mate selection, as most kissing is done between couples. A study by Hughes, Harrison, and Gallup showed that two-thirds of women and slightly less for men have been attracted to someone only to find that the first kiss was a turn-off. This point across the sexes shows that a kiss is an important deciding factor on whether or not to pursue a relationship with someone.

Humans lack the prominent olfactory system that picks up pheromones from other mammals, however we still have some functionality left over from our days of relying on scent to attract a mate. "It started with the first tetrapod land creatures, and reptiles do it all the time," says Gordon G. Gallup Jr., a professor of evolutionary psychology at the State University of New York-Albany. Gallup, who is one of the pioneers of the evolutionary perspective on kissing, says that the "sausage-like projection" on the reptilian brain, the cortex, is responsible for mating practices. This action acts as a means of sniffing out a potential mate and is still a practice done in many animal species. According to Gallup, the act of kissing is simply a "more refined and strategic expression of pre-existing mate assessment tendencies." This assessment is backed up by the fact that women, who generally rely more on cues for mate quality, tend to rate the importance of kissing in a relationship as significantly higher than men.

4.1. The evolutionary purpose of kissing

The purposes of kissing are many and varied. Some 90% of humans actually kiss, and that kissing is linked to three fundamental desires and evolved from them: sex drive, attachment, and loss of chyle, the primary food of infants. The high frequency of romantic kissing in the vast majority of cultures (in fact, it has been noted that there is no historical or cultural evidence of a society which did not kiss) also points to the sexual and attachment explanations. The universal relevance of more unconscious explanations like mating fitness or pheromonal taste or scent, however, cannot be denied in the acts of males or females, young or old. It is these sorts of explanations, which go beyond simply stating that kissing promotes pair bonding or sex, that help truly explain the kiss.

One reason why kissing as a form of affectionate love has been maintained for millions of years is that it is, in fact, an instinctive behavior that can be carried out without conscious thought. As Lapham writes, "There is something simple and sweet about a kiss. We all know how to do it." Kissing requires no instruction, whether it be among the Yanomamo in the rainforests of Brazil or urbanites in Manhattan.

4.2. The link between kissing and mate selection

In humans, there is a great deal of emphasis on the assessment of a potential mate's suitability for a long term relationship. Relationship precursor behaviors such as kissing are thought to play a large role in assessing the suitability of a mate. Coombs (2011) stated that impressions gained from the first kiss are highly salient to relationship outcome. This is due to the fact that the first kiss can be a make or break decision in further pursuing the relationship. A bad first kiss can often be a turn off, leading to the loss of a potential mate. It seems that the quality of a kiss in assessing mate suitability is almost universal across cultures. Hughes et al (2007) surveyed 124 adults and noted that various aspects of kissing such as the frequency in which it occurred and the importance placed on a kiss were significantly associated with relationship satisfaction.

Physiological and medical researches on the topic of kissing are relatively sparse. There are, however, a few interesting studies which have been undertaken which hypothesized that kissing may have evolved to help increase the chances of reproductive success. Wlodarski and Dunbar (2013) surveyed 900 adult participants and found that the majority of women and men reported that they have been attracted to someone, only to find after kissing them for the first time that the attraction was lost. This was due to the fact that the kiss had not gone well, which consequently reduced the people's interest in pursuing a relationship. This suggests that kissing may be a way of subconsciously assessing a potential mate's suitability for entering into a relationship.

4.3. The role of pheromones in attraction

The human olfactory system is highly sensitive and capable of detecting thousands of odours. It is therefore likely that pheromones, chemical messengers that trigger particular responses, also play a large role in human behaviour. However, there is some debate as to whether pheromones play a significant role in human behaviour and mate selection. The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is responsible for pheromone detection in animals, and while it is well developed in human foetuses, it usually degenerates and becomes non-functional, leading to the assertion that humans are no longer influenced by pheromones. However, the VNO has been found to be functional in many adults and the genes coding for pheromone receptors are still present in the human genome. It has been suggested that humans are no longer influenced by pheromones and the VNO is a vestigial structure, yet it is more likely that the VNO is still functional in some individuals and humans are still influenced by pheromones, but to a lesser extent than animals.

Research has found that women who are not taking hormonal contraception have been found to prefer the scent of men who are MHC-dissimilar to themselves, which would increase the genetic variability of their offspring. This preference changes when women are in the fertile phase of their menstrual cycle and are therefore more likely to conceive. Wedekind et al. (1995) showed that women not taking hormonal contraception preferred the scent of MHC-dissimilar men. Women were asked to smell unwashed T-shirts worn by men and rate the pleasantness of the smell, and do the same again with the addition of contraceptives consisting of MHC-similar men. The women consistently rated the scent of MHC-dissimilar men higher in this case. A similar study showed that this preference is reversed during ovulation. Women rated the body odour of MHC-similar men higher when in the fertile phase of their menstrual cycle. These studies suggest that the preference for MHC-dissimilar men is a result of genetic influences, and the hormonal changes experienced by women cause this to waver in favour of mate-choice copying and the attraction to more masculine men. These studies indicate that although humans may not consciously be aware of pheromone detection and the mechanism of attraction, it is still taking place subconsciously.

5. Cultural Influences

When considering the cultural significance of a French kiss, one must first examine the fundamental meaning of a kiss. In different societies, the kiss can carry many different meanings; from a respectful greeting to a gesture of affection, to newlyweds sealing a vow. It is a universal social ritual, but how it is performed and its intended meaning vary from culture to culture. In their 20-year study of 168 cultures, Broude and Green (in Jankowiak & Fischer, 1992, cited in Wier L.T, n.d.) found that 87% of human societies kiss, making it a near-global activity.

Comparing the kissing practices of the French and English, Wier (n.d.) notes that different kissing rituals can serve to distinguish cultural boundaries and where kissing is expected to a certain level of intimacy. In the study, French persons were asked to kiss an acquaintance on meeting goodbye and choose how they would greet an English person in the same situation. The results showed that 65% of French participants would offer a handshake and not attempt to kiss the English person, showing that in French culture, it is only appropriate to kiss someone with whom there is an intimate relationship. This contrasts with kissing practices in England where a simple peck on the cheek is a common polite greeting.

5.1. The impact of cultural norms on kissing practices

Results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between kiss frequency and the importance attached to kissing as a way of showing affection and the sexual motivations and effects of kissing in all three societies. This would support our integral theory of the value of affection exchange in reproductive strategies but it fails to find sex differences in these preferences.

Utilizing a sample of 100 male and female heterosexual university students from each of the three societies (Brazil, the US, and Germany), the hypothesis was tested that kissing is more valuable to societies in which it is a usual prelude to sexual intercourse. Students were presented with a brief questionnaire listing 13 possible motivations for and 13 possible psychological effects of kissing and were asked to rate each item in terms of its importance. The mean ratings for the motivations for and effects of kissing were then correlated for each society with a behavioral index of kiss frequency. This index was calculated by observing an equal number of dating couples in public places for each society and recording the mean number of kisses exchanged per couple per 10 minutes.

Further investigation of the American sample revealed large differences by age and sex, with American males aged 20–39 having higher kissing rates than their elders and women having higher rates than men among those aged 20–39. This would suggest convergence of American kissing rates towards those of the French, although differences in age and sex patterns indicate that there is still some way to go. These differences between modern-day French and Americans and the variation in affinity for kissing mentioned before suggest that there are factors unique to each society influencing kiss frequency.

Sociological data from 1918 detailing that the English and American armies were amazed and amused by the disposition of their French allies to "kiss one another on both cheeks" following victory revealed evidence of differences in kissing behavior between British and French males. Kissing rates (defined as the number of kisses exchanged per person per year) were estimated from simple random samples of French and American males and females aged 20 to 60. The mean kissing rate for the French sample was 5.3, and for the American sample, it was 1.0.

Kissing practices differ widely among human populations. While the custom of rubbing noses is popular in some cultures, in others, close physical contact in the form of mouth-to-mouth kissing is regarded as revolting. Populations vary not only in their preferences for whether to kiss, whom to kiss, and how to kiss, but also in the frequency with which they kiss.

5.2. The role of media in shaping perceptions of French kissing

Media appears to play a significant role in shaping people's perceptions of the act of French kissing. A recent university study in the US found that over half of a cohort of 500 students claimed their primary source of information on the practice was depicted in popular mainstream media, such as film and television (Wimsatt & McKinney, 1997). Students indicated that they felt expectations to engage in French kissing as a result of perceived notions regarding what is considered "normal" behaviour for persons of their age. They were influenced by the way in which protagonists in media depict French kissing as a stepping stone to further sexual intimacy. This is due to the fact that French kissing is depicted by people in the media to be a universally recognized act of intimacy, and as such is seen to signify a progression of emotional and sexual closeness between two people (Thompson, Locander & Pollio, 1990). An increase in the occurrence of kiss scenes in TV and film has brought with it a notion that French kissing is a mandatory form of intimacy between couples and is often testament to the strength of a couple's relationship (Sullins, 1991). This has been hypothesized by some researchers as a reason why many adolescents today feel pressured into entering their first romantic kiss, despite a particularly high number claiming they do not actually feel ready to do so (Wimsatt & McKinney, 1997). "Step-by-step" guides available on internet websites, commonly written by peers and aimed at adolescents, are seen to further promote the concept of kiss escalation, indicating to readers that "a lot of French kissing leads to heavy petting, which often leads to sexual intercourse". Finally, a further example of the use of media to shape kissing norms is stemming from research showing that abstinence pledgers in the US are less likely to use condoms than their non-pledging counterparts during intercourse, with the explanation being (in the words of the pledgers themselves) that "you can only break a promise to yourself one step at a time".

5.3. The cultural significance of kissing in different societies

Certain societies place greater cultural significance on kissing than do others. Kissing has been noted for its functional value, being employed as a means of affection and communication of emotions. Southern European societies and Latin American societies place a higher importance on kissing as an indication of affection and love, using it as a ritual that is performed at events such as saying goodbye. This type of social kissing is restricted to a sign of affection between friends, family and lovers. For example, a study conducted by Richard Biech found that among friends in Spain, 95% of the men and 100% of the women reported engaging in mouth-to-mouth kissing, whereas in the United States the same activity was reported by only 50% of the women and 35% of the men. The significance of social kissing in Southern European and Latin American countries has led to widely held negative perceptions of more sexually inclined North American 'style' kissing that is often associated with the French kiss. The French kiss is an articulation of erotic emotions, so called because of the belief that the lips are more erogenous than other parts of the body due to the large amount of nerve endings located in them. The significance of the French kiss has wide variation throughout different societies, both in its acceptance and perception of its meaning. In some societies, the French kiss is seen as tasteless and overly erotic and is not appreciated as a public display of affection. In India, for example, kissing is not widely accepted and is still seen as taboo, reflected by the Indian cinema industry's only recent transition from symbolic depiction of kissing scenes to actual kissing scenes. In other societies such as France, of course, the French kiss holds high significance as a passionate display of love and affection between lovers and is widely accepted in such a context.

6. Health Benefits

Kissing can have a positive impact on your oral health. When you are kissing, your mouth creates more saliva. Saliva is the body's way of washing away acids that cause decay. The act of kissing means there is more liquid in your mouth, and this can help clean those hard-to-reach areas. It ultimately prevents cavities. An increase in saliva production is not only useful in preventing cavities, it can also clear food particles that may stick to your teeth after a meal. This can also help to avoid bad breath.

Saliva also contains substances that help to repair small lesions in the enamel and remineralize teeth. This helps to stave off decay and fix damage to teeth that may have been caused by everyday acids present in food. Published in the Journal of Medicine Anthropology, researchers surveyed 59 college students and found that the increase of saliva from light kissing in these students had a protective effect on tooth plaque and possibly contributed to long-term dental health.

6.1. The impact of kissing on oral health

Although kissing can promote saliva secretions to benefit those with dry mouth, it doesn't have the same effect for everyone. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and drug use can reduce saliva levels and cause damage to one's oral health. In these instances with chronically impaired oral health, it is possible that exchanging saliva with a partner can lead to the transmission of diseases or illnesses. Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 is easily transmissible through kissing and can cause recurrent sores and painful blisters in the oral region. Due to the possible exchange of infectious diseases, there is no doubt that oral health status can influence the amount of kissing in a relationship.

Saliva is essential in maintaining oral health by washing bacterial and food particles off teeth. The proteins and minerals in saliva help to repair the enamel surfaces of teeth, as well as fend off harmful microbial organisms that can compromise oral health. Without saliva, extensive tooth decay and other oral afflictions can develop. In people who suffer from xerostomia, or chronic dry mouth, there is a notable increase in tooth decay due to lack of saliva levels.

Any essay on the science of kissing must include a section on how it can positively impact oral health. During a passionate kiss, up to 9 milligrams of water is exchanged between two individuals. As saliva has natural antimicrobial properties, contributing to oral health, this increase of saliva exchange in kissing can reduce the growth of plaque.

6.2. The release of endorphins and its positive effects

When a person feels good naturally, it is usually due to the effect of a substance called endorphins on their brain. In response to certain stimuli, the brain can generate various levels of endorphins. Anxiety is a stimulus that is proven to increase endorphin levels and is only one of many examples. A study conducted by Kortner on the effects of romantic love on endorphin levels was motivated by the phenomena of "love is a drug" and heartache. Comparable to drug addicts or those in physical pain, people with heartache often cannot properly explain their feelings and sooner or later the phenomena of emotional agony is known to all. Because of this, there really isn't any need to prove that kissing to couples in love causes an increase in endorphins and generally a release of emotional pain.

The most relevant study to this information is one performed by Welsh and Blum. It was a test on the information processing approach of the mood-boosting effects of nicotine, sucrose, and sweet-tasting beverage, involving the administration of a dopamine antagonist. Using the explanation that dopamine mediates reinforcement and is an essential component of a model of the action of a positive mood medication, it is realistic to adapt this approach to the mood-boosting effects of kissing and endorphin release, to find succeeding theories in the gathering of evidence to support that sweet tasting in the form of a French kiss actually does elevate mood, and also by looking at the effects of opiates and endorphins on their behavioral output and affect. Even though it was performed on rats, it does offer an effective model to test these hypotheses on humans with the available material to measure mood and nonspecific affect.

6.3. The boost in immune system function through kissing

Studies at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania have concluded that our saliva may contain proteins with antiviral properties. This suggests that the exchange of saliva while kissing may increase the rate at which we build immunity to certain viruses. Take mononucleosis for example. Contrary to the belief that the "kissing disease" is caused through infected spit, it incubates in saliva and may be a by-product of kissing, increasing the chances of immunity via a more rapid exchange and exposure to the virus. The aforementioned experiment by Dr. Elder found that the chances of catching mononucleosis may also be reduced through regular kissing on the lips due to the increased production of saliva. This is because a saliva examination showed that people who kissed in this way showed double the levels of certain antibodies that act to protect the body against the cytomegalovirus, which is a virus that can cause infection and damage to the body's cells. In addition, other research has found that couples who do not kiss each other regularly seem to have a higher level of the cytomegalovirus, with it being occasionally found via saliva.

Further evidence of the function of "kissing behavior" (defined by Dr. Wlodarek as the additional romantic or sexual dimensions to prosocial and affect-maintaining behaviors) in protection of the immune system can be found in a study on 52 married adults conducted by Dr. Floyd at Penn State University. The participants were asked to increase the frequency of kissing their partner over a period of six weeks while also implementing a stress reduction program. At the end of the six weeks, it was found that an increase in kissing frequency was linked to a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, with a stronger effect seen in men than in women. Additionally, the study suggested that the increase in kissing led to an improvement of other aspects of relationships and it provided a simple and effective stress and health reducer for couples.

7. Techniques and Tips

When you feel ready to move into the French kiss, return to the former position and continue the series of small kisses while occasionally pausing and looking the other person in the eye. This can help to communicate your intentions. When you feel that the other person is ready, go for the gold! Ideally, you should have moved from one kiss to the other while gradually coming closer to the other person (this can build tension and anticipation which makes the payoff that much better!). This may seem overly complex, but spanning the first kiss over a period of time can be really hot and an unforgettable experience.

For the first kiss, date and setting is everything. If you're really feeling like the setting calls for a sweet, romantic kiss, then (gently) guide your partner there. If you're not the forward type, start out with a "softball" kiss. A "softball" kiss is a series of much smaller kisses that can occur on the ear, neck, and the cheek. It's a testing ground to see if the other person is interested in something more intimate.

Mastering the art of French kissing can be quite an involved process, largely because so much of it depends on what happens in the specific moment. Learning how to French kiss also means learning when to use tongue and when to not use it. It's a delicate art that requires some finesse. The best thing you can do to improve your kissing skills is to practice.

7.1. Mastering the art of French kissing

Easing into the kiss is important as it will avoid any awkward clashes of teeth or tongues. Start by being close to the person and face to face. Lightly and slowly brush their lips with yours a few times. This teasing can be very seductive and enjoyable, building to gentle and light sucking of their bottom lip. Take breaks between kisses and look into their eyes – it is an intimate moment. Keep hands on their face or with fingers running through hair or on neck. This is about starting to create an emotional bond and to show your desire. From here, you could add some soft and barely audible moaning – it's a subconscious way of saying that you are enjoying it. Always explore with your tongue to see what they like, it can be used to tease and tickle the lips. This is the general feeling out process that he/she will remember and want to experience again. It will later become spontaneous and habitual.

Mastering the art of French kissing is easier than you think. At its most basic, it is about being a little tender and taking the time to really feel out their lips – languor is key. It's about leading but at the same time not being forceful. It takes some getting used to, so preparation is important. If you and your partner have talked about French kissing, then the time is right. Keep breath fresh, have mints on hand. Make sure you are both comfortable and enjoy the moment. Kissing is a very sensual, emotional, and sexual experience. Think in your head what it is you want to achieve out of the kiss – it could just be something he/she will not forget for a while. And remember, even if you mess up the first time, practice makes perfect. French kissing is not that different from just a normal kiss with lips, but you need to be prepared to be a bit more intimate.

7.2. Communication and consent in kissing

Communication is an essential element in any intimate or sexual relationship. The same holds true for kissing, however, no one has ever been taught how to communicate while kissing. It is often said that kissing one person is like kissing everyone else they have ever kissed. This is because individual styles and techniques are rarely addressed with a new partner. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it can add an air of mystery and excitement when kissing someone for the first time. Over time, however, it is likely that you will want to communicate what you enjoy when kissing your partner, and what you do not. As in any communication between partners, it is important to be open and honest without hurting your partner's feelings. This means using "I" statements and avoiding blaming your partner. For example, "I really like it when you..." is a better statement than "You know what you should do...". Talk to each other about what you like to do when kissing. Do you prefer deep and slow kisses or a more shallow and rapid approach? What about the use of the hands or exploring erogenous zones during a kiss? All of this might sound quite trivial, but on a number of occasions, couples have taken their kissing to new heights of passion and excitement only to find that one partner thought the other was repulsed by the new "technique" and vice versa. Open communication can prevent mixed signals and embarrassment when trying new things in the process of improving your intimate relationship.

7.3. Exploring different kissing techniques and styles

A forceful and invasive kisser is someone who does not understand boundaries and occasionally uses force. Just because a person uses force, it does not mean that they use too much tongue, although it can be classified as a type of "swimmer." Sometimes it starts with a stroke on the cheek and quickly grabs around the back of the neck. The "forceful kisser" is not gender specific. A seldom discussed dynamic is the amount of control and aggressiveness one kiss has to another. It is not to say that an individual must subscribe to the same style as their partner, but it is useful information to know different styles so one can learn to adapt. This awareness lends to a more fulfilling kissing experience due to the heightened level of connectivity involved. In the case of forceful and invasive kissers, their partners may need a moment to adjust. It is best to meet fire with fire in a playful manner and assert one's own style in a tasteful way until both parties find a happy middle ground.

8. Conclusion

Unfortunately, there is a correlation between the divorce rate and the decreasing frequency of kissing, and couples who kiss only at meal times have been shown to be more likely to feel discontent in their relationship. So the French kiss may be a dying art.

The notion that a kiss is very simply a way to let us know if we like the way someone else tastes is further supported by the overwhelming evidence suggesting that a kiss that is not pleasurable will be the last between that couple. A bad kiss could also mean the end of a good prospective relationship, according to a scientific article published in the Albany Times Union. The first kiss seals the deal. The article suggests that to a woman, kissing is important in assessing a potential mate.

Mammals have been kissing for the last 10,000 years according to the linguistic evidence provided by some of the world's contemporary 7,000 languages. The evidence suggests that kissing evolved from the act of premastication: the transmission of food from the mouth of one person into another's mouth. Many animals regurgitate food for their young, something that most of us consider disgusting. Yet it is the act of premastication that is thought to have led to (open-mouth) kisses between adults as a method to pass solid food to one's offspring. This is still how some cultures feed their young and how some lovers might, if they are tasting something so good they just have to swap it.

8.1. The lasting allure of the French kiss

Consider first the senses of taste and smell, the chemical senses. At very close range, most humans can identify their intimate partners by smell alone. Often, one of the first signs that a relationship is in trouble is that the partners find each other's natural scents and tastes disagreeable. A kiss is a higher intake of partner scent and taste. Oral hygiene, of course, is important to the success of this endeavor. A person who tastes bad or who is known to have a bad taste in oral matters is less likely to be kissed and more likely to be abandoned. French kissing is a highly effective method of mate assessment and, especially for women, is likely to involve attempts to improve the mate with the use of proper communication or reward behaviors. An experimental animal analogy would be rats or monkeys that persevere with a manipulandum that provides intermittent reinforcement of a specific reward competency even when an alternate reward is continuously available. French kissing may at least sometimes represent a mate-retention effort sparked by the fear of mate poaching or the fluctuation of alternative mates.

Kisses are highly variable. Bonobos, the "make love not war" great apes, typically "French kiss" when they mate. The ancient Romans had three different types of kisses: the osculum, a kiss on the cheek that was a sign of friendship; the basium, a kiss on the lips; and the savium, a kiss with a lot of tongue. In many cultures and interpersonal contexts, a kiss between friends or family members is an expression of affection without sexual overtones. But it is the romantic kiss, the kiss that may precede and intensify sexual activity, that is the focus of this discussion.

No one denies that the French kiss feels good. But what makes a kiss, especially a passionate open-mouthed kiss or "French" kiss, feel so good? Like the orgasm, the French kiss is an example of an intimate contact that involves all sensory modalities and all levels of the neuraxis. Moreover, the kiss and the orgasm share the ability to transcend the immediate context of sexual behavior to engage the mind and stir the spirit.

8.2. The ongoing research on kissing and pleasure

As for what makes a good kisser and kiss, it is the commonly held view that kissing ability is intuitive and spontaneous. Dimensions of kissing ability have been classified as a romantic and sexual skill with specific competencies and the motivation to be a high performance kisser. 42% of US college students have reported to kiss someone they were not attracted to, with an average rate of 3 seconds. 50% have used kissing as a way to initiate sex. These findings also suggest that there are kissing situations and partners whom one may or may not wish to bond with and kissers and kissees may have varying motivations and satisfaction from a kiss. Although no classification tools exist, it is likely that there is a kissing hierarchy and that one person's "great kiss" is another's disgusting or merely tolerable experience. Kissing abilities and preferences are known to change as relationships progress. Studies have shown that married couples who maintain increased kissing behaviours report higher satisfaction in sex and life. Configurations to this effect have included "homework assignments" to increase kissing and hugging and gestures of affection for a spouse with a chronically misbehaving child.

Tastes and tolerances to the act are known to be culturally and individually variable. In past centuries, clean breath and a set of kissable lips were desirable features as lipstick and scented dental products were nonexistent. In some cultures, it is common for saliva to be ingested during a kiss as a sign of trust, and kissing has often been seen as a means of arousal with the act and objective of sex, rather than a pleasurable and bonding experience in itself. French kissing is associated with later sexual debut and greater number of sexual partners. In context with the function of bonding, it is inconsistent to assume that pleasure is the sole motive for this complex and intimate behaviour. French kissing, being a complex and intimate behaviour with multiple objectives should also not be specifically likened to the single act of foreplay, often an indication of an imminent sexual act. These findings have led to the questioning of whether kissing behaviours are a courtship strategy.

It is only in the last decade that scientific studies have been conducted into the phenomena of kissing, and there have been no published reports on the specific act of French kissing, under the assumption that the act was well-understood. However, the discovery by scientists that exchanging saliva serves a specific function as a social and/or sexual bonding mechanism has opened the door to interesting speculations on the function of French kissing.