#955 Analytical Osculation

Science has weighed in again, this time on the subject of romance. We always seem to get these stories in and around February, the month of love and presidents.
The article I read recently was on kissing. Specifically, why we do it, and what it does while we’re doing it. Kissing takes place in 90% of human cultures. Usually, when you see something that popular it’s not just because it’s a fad inspired by the latest beanie baby chain letter.
Even way back in early Greek and Roman times, people did it. And in those days, hygiene being what it was, it was a sure way to spread facial skin diseases. Of course people have been known to get a lot more intimate and the spread of disease doesn’t stop them much either.
Scientifically, it turns out kissing unleashes and exchanges chemicals between partners in their saliva. Yum. That old chestnut about swapping spit turns out to be accurate after all.
On some instinctive level, we analyze that spit and we actually can get more or less attracted to our kissing partner as this chemical analysis gets underway. During kissing, men’s levels of oxytocin increase, indicating more interest in permanent bonding. Women’s levels went down. So kissing is an act of potential monogamy in men. And a desire to break free in women.
Hmm. No more mistletoe at the Christmas party.
The research indicated that men prefer sloppy kisses in which chemicals including testosterone can be passed on to the woman in saliva. Testosterone increases both male and female sex drive.
Researcher Dr. Helen Fisher noted, “The sex drive pushes individuals to assess a variety of partners, then romantic love causes them to focus on an individual. Attachment then allows them to tolerate this person long enough to raise a child.”
These scientists are so romantic. “Take this ring, my love, as a token of my intent to tolerate you long enough to raise a child.”
For me, the greatest thing about reading this particular scientific article was learning a new word. There is actually a name for the science of kissing. Philematology.
Wow. Go science. Philematology.
Sounds about as romantic as stamp collecting.
America, ya gotta love it.