Kissing on the lips is an intense form of non-verbal communication when expressing love. But, is there any other area on the face kissing on which might send the same strong signals? Why do we kiss only on the lips?
We kiss on the lips because lips are an opening into our mouth, which can be seen as a metaphorical opening into our soul. By allowing someone to kiss on our lips, we surrender ourselves to the person and accept our vulnerability to them. It’s a sign of deep trust and non-platonic affection.
This article explores why kissing on the lips is the norm for people wanting to be more than just friends.
Reasons Why We Kiss On The Lips
When you think of kissing someone on the lips, it brings out different emotions.
It could be love, care, intimacy, and so much more that you might struggle to explain in words.
According to the research report on ‘Is the Romantic–Sexual Kiss a Near Human Universal?‘:
We defined romantic–sexual kissing as lip-to-lip contact that may or may not be prolonged. Moreover, there is a strong correlation between the frequency of the romantic–sexual kiss and a society’s relative social complexity: the more socially complex the culture, the higher frequency of romantic–sexual kissing.
William R. Jankowiak, Shelly L. Volsche, and Justin R. Garcia, 2015, Is the Romantic–Sexual Kiss a Near Human Universal?, American Anthropological Association, Volume117, Issue3, Pages 535-539.
Here are some of the major reasons why we prefer diving straight for the lips:
1. Helps In Strengthening The Bond
Kissing on the lips is not just about breaking the physical barrier between two people but also about attachment and forming a long-lasting bond.
It is considered to be one of the most effective bond strengthening behaviors.
A higher level of kissing on the lips in a relationship develops greater satisfaction and makes you feel closer to your partner both physically and emotionally.
It facilitates attachment and can be one of the most critical factors in securing your relationship.
The next time you think about strengthening your bond, just start kissing a little more on the lips, even if you are a peck-on-the-cheek kind of person.
2. To Show Intimate Interest Without Words
Sometimes, kissing on the lips can become the unspoken language of love and intimacy.
It is a gesture that can make you feel warm, secure, and loved all at once. It helps channel your emotions to your partner in a much more intimate way.
Kissing on the lips is the type of physical activity that expresses intimacy in an unparalleled way.
It gives the receiver assurance of you being emotionally and physically connected to them.
It has the potential to become a sign of love and make your partner go head over heels for you, especially if they are looking for something long-term.
3. Expression Of Desire
For some people kissing on the lips can be totally lust-driven. It is one of the best ways to seduce your partner when you just want some action.
Studies show that male saliva contains testosterone which can trigger the secretion of lust hormones in their partner.
It means the more passionately you kiss, the more turned on you’ll get.
For some people, kissing on lips is also a way of keeping themselves emotionally and physically satisfied.
Having someone to kiss tells them that someone is there for them.
Lastly, the more we kiss someone, the greater the arousal and the greater the chances of something exciting and memorable happening.
4. To Upgrade The Relationship
You might have been dating a person for some time now and might want to take a step forward.
A kiss on the lips can always help you seal the deal. Kissing on the lips can be a great way to initiate a romantic relationship with your partner.
It shows that both of you are really comfortable with each other now and have enough mutual trust to go ahead.
For many, kissing on the lips is the best way to tell someone how they feel about them without actually having to say it.
5. Often Seen As A Mate Assessment Tool
Kissing on the lips can be an excellent way to assess the potential partner, which is very much required for a healthy relationship, especially the physical aspects.
People use it to evaluate their physical compatibility with their potential partners, which plays a vital role in establishing a long-lasting romantic relationship.
A lousy lip kiss can be a deal-breaker for many and make you lose interest in a person altogether.
We can say it is a powerful act that can actually dictate the direction of your budding relationship.
6. It Just Feels Good
Several people kiss on the lips just because it feels good compared to kissing on any other part of the face.
There are more nerve endings in our lips than in any other part of the face. They are sensitive. No doubt, pressing them against another set of lips feels so good.
A kiss on the lips can do a lot more than you might think.
It keeps stress at bay by secreting happy hormones called dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins and also boosts your confidence.
A good kiss can leave you smiling and dreamy for a long time and can become your go-to, free happiness booster. Isn’t this a win-win situation?
7. To Boost Self-Worth And Confidence
We often attach our self-worth to how other people perceive us. In today’s virtual world, we all want to be desirable.
Don’t you take pride when someone calls you a good kisser?
For many people, kissing on lips is just a physical act to feel good about themselves and feel more desirable.
Not only this, kissing on the lips can reduce the cortisol level, improving your feelings of self-worth, which we often attach to our appearance.
It can give you a temporary confidence boost and become an escape from the harsh realities of life.
8. For A Distraction From Problems
There is nothing quite like an affectionate kiss on the lips when it comes to stress management.
A kiss on the lips can be really helpful in managing stress and anxiety as it decreases the level of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your brain.
It becomes the best distraction for many people to take their minds off the problems going on in their lives.
So after a stressful and tiring day, go ahead and ask your partner for a tender kiss on your lips.
9. For Adrenaline Rush And Excitement
Kissing on the lips can raise the level of excitement. Your blood flows quicker than usual, and you feel more energized and excited during the moment.
This happens due to a surge of adrenaline and noradrenaline, the fight or flight hormones that get you all pumped up.
Remember the butterflies you felt in your stomach during your first lip kiss where you were so nervous.
That cozy and warm feeling remains with you for a long time, and some people just love to experience that euphoric feeling again and again.
10. For Different Experiences And Techniques
Given so many choices, people want to experiment and explore even when kissing.
Moreover, it has become much easier to explore different options when dating. All you have to do is swipe right.
The lip kiss gives you a fair idea about your intimate compatibility with your date. Every time you kiss a new person, it’s a different experience.
You also have the opportunity to try out different lip kissing techniques with one or more people to spice things up.
If the kiss itself feels dull and doesn’t arouse you, things will indeed feel monotonous and like a chore inside the bedroom with this person.
Conclusion
Kissing someone on the lips can be fascinating yet complex.
It may be just a feel-good thing for some, while for others, it may be a way to express their love without actually having to say it.
Kissing on the lips can make you feel euphoric, and it acts as a free stress buster.
Figure out what kissing on the lips does for you, and is there a way to get more out of the above-listed reasons and benefits?