1 5 Secret 2 35 Secret Benefits of Kissing 4The positive physiological effects of locking lips.

5By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine 6 7 8

Benefits of Kissing

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9 10What's truly in a kiss? I mean, beyond the good (passionate, gentle, etc.) and the bad (face-consuming, sloppy). What's the physiological 11effect of locking lips? Turns out, there's an entire branch of science (called philematology) that's devoted to kissing. And it's super fascinating. 12 13According to the lab-coat-clad kissing brainiacs, smooching has some major health benefits. 14 15It boosts immunity 16 17Anytime you lock lips, you're not just swapping spit, you're also swapping germs. A majority of the bacteria in your saliva is common to 18everyone, but around 20 percent are unique to the individual. So, the process of kissing triggers your body to produce antibodies to fight the 19foreign bacteria. It's like a vaccination, minus the hour in the waiting room and sore arm. (Of course, this positive side effect is only relevant if 20you're smooching a healthy person you wouldn't want a "vaccination" from, say, the dude at the bar with a mysterious blister and runny 21nose).

22 23It busts stress 24A recent Lafayette College study found that when you're kissing someone, your body releases oxytocin, a calming chemical; endorphins, which 25are the feel-good chemicals; and dopamine, which promotes bonding. Aim for a 20-second smooch to get mood-boosting benefits. 26 27Looking for more ways to de-stress? Some studies show that regular meditation reduces the recurrence of depression as effectively as 28medication. Start with baby steps by focusing on your breath. If your mind wanders, let your thoughts go and refocus on inhaling and exhaling. 29Aim to do this for a couple of minutes a few times a dayor anytime you feel like your head is ready to explode.

30 31It may ease allergies 32A study in Japan found that 30 minutes of kissing (time to revert back to middle school make-out days!) can slow histamine production, 33providing some relief from sneezing and running nose symptoms associated with hay fever. 34 35If allergies make you miserable, there's also a tasty snack that can ease a stuffy nose and watery eyes with no pills, drops or inhalers involved: 36yogurt! One study found that the bacteria in yogurt help desensitize the immune system to pollen. Patients who ate yogurt daily had 90 37percent fewer allergy symptoms. Remember, though, that frozen doesn't count; fro-yo is often missing those powerful cultures. 38

39 40It's good for your teeth 41Even during non-sloppy exchanges, kissing produces bonus saliva. This helps neutralize acids which can cause decay, and washes away food 42particles and cavity-inducing plaque that's beginning to form. Some experts even think that the mineral salts in saliva may help bolster enamel, 43giving you stronger chompers. 44 45Looking for something a little more professional? "The lightest cosmetically created hues for teeth are up to 15 shades whiter than they were 46five years ago," says Jeff Golub-Evans, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. If your smile is less than dazzling, switch to a toothpaste 47that contains hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to buff away surface stains from dark food or drinks. 48

49 50It counts as a (light) workout 51It's estimated that kissing can burn up to 6 calories a minute and that you enlist approximately 30 facial muscles. May not exactly erase 52cellulite or give you flat abs, but you can feel slightly less guilty about having another glass of wine or ordering post-date dessert. 53 54 55 56 57 58 59