Kissing facts (blog)

Currently, I'm reading a book called "The Science of Kissing" by Sheril Kirshenbaum. While there are some bits of information in there that makes the idea of kissing a lithe unnerving, there are some super fun facts about what happens during an exhange of kisses.

Our blood vessels dilate and we receive more oxygen to the brain than normal.

Five of our twelve cranial nerves switch into high gear.

Neural impulses stimulate our bodies  to produce dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and adrenaline.

Our brains subconscious pick up on fertility cues found in scent and sound.

Men's saliva transfer small amounts of testosterone, a natural sex stimulant, which builds up in a woman's body cumulatively causing her to become more interested in sex.

Men and women release oxytocin, which in women is the substance responsible for the pleasurable "jolts" felt during orgasm.

The stress hormone cortisol decreases, presumably helping each person involved feel more relaxed and willing to "taking it to the next level."