For many of us, our first kiss feels like a defining moment in our lives – the moment when we change from a child to a young adult. The anticipation of having our first kiss can make us feel like a bag of excitement, anxiety, curiosity and self-doubt, all jostling around in our tummies like butterflies.
There are over 100 billion complex nerve cells liberally spread throughout the lips. They are the gateway to tiny neurotransmitter molecules that help trigger hormone release including dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and adrenaline. That first passionate kiss causes dopamine to spike in the brain.
"Your biological stress system is actually activated when you have your first kiss," Seiter says. "But, this doesn't mean you're stressed out. You'll experience increased heart rate, sweating, or butterflies in your stomach; a physiological excitement response."
It certainly can be, which is to say, if you're the sort of person who finds kissing awkward, then you might also find making out awkward. And if kissing isn't awkward for you, making out probably won't be either.
Though the average age for young people to experience a first kiss is fifteen, there is absolutely no reason to rush into it because “everyone else is doing it” or you want to feel “normal.” After all, what good is a kiss if it comes with a side of regret?
Kiss someone when you feel ready, regardless of how old you are. Around ages 12-15, people often start having their first kiss. Don't feel pressured by other people your age kissing people, and don't rush into kissing someone if you are apprehensive. You'll know intuitively when the time feels right.
The following are some of the things that happen to your body each time you kiss someone for the first time: Sense of smell activated: Scientists say the lips have nerve endings that become stimulated upon kissing, leading to the activation of additional senses such as smell.
A long kiss releases dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, feel-good chemicals that will make him smile. A single smile produces endorphins, another hormone that lifts his mood. Endorphins also create a “feedback loop” that will make him smile over and over.
You get all giddy.
A rush of dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin hits your system the moment your lips lock. With this positive cocktail and a heart-fluttering kiss, you'll feel like you're on cloud nine! Lips are one of your body's most sensually sensitive areas.
People can make out anywhere from a few seconds to an hour or more. Making out can also lead to unprotected sex whereas brief kissing may be safer and doesn't tend to lead to sex.
As health and wellness expert Samantha Morrison explained to Bustle, "Kissing is engrained into human nature." For starters, the pleasure that you get from making out is literally the result of a hormone, oxytocin, being released when you're kissing.
He smiles during or after.
Smiling while smooching might be an indication he's not only happy to be kissing you right now, but that he's been wanting to kiss you for some time, and is overcome with elation and a sense of victory.
Most often, guys breathe heavily when making out due to feeling aroused or extremely excited about being with you. Keep it in mind.
It takes chemistry
That fluttery feeling you get when you're kissing a new partner – the racing heart and spiking blood pressure – comes from dopamine. It revs your engine, but you can thank the love hormone, oxytocin, for bringing you back for more years after the novelty has worn away, Kirshenbaum said.
After the kiss, pull your head back slowly to give each of you some space. If you wrapped a hand around each other, you can lightly ease off, or hold each other close for a more intimate moment. Look your partner in the eyes and smile.
But they often work together to create different levels of relationships. Also, these functions vary among people. So while one man may get emotionally attached after kissing, another may not. It is highly subjective, depending on the man, the woman, and the kind of chemistry they have.
Move your lips towards him slowly, closing your eyes at the last second. You need to be able to see so that you can aim for his lips, but you don't want to keep your eyes open while you kiss, so close them right before your lips lock. Keep your eyes closed during the whole kiss.
No need to wait for the official first date to get a little face time, however. Americans agree kids are ready for their first kiss at age 15 (15.1 on average), while on average, they had theirs at age 14.5. But first, let's talk about sex.
The longest kiss ever lasted 58 hours 35 minutes, achieved by Thai couple Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat, at an event organised by Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Pattaya, Thailand. It began on 12 February 2013 and ended two days later, on Valentine's Day.
Move slowly and gently.
As time progresses, you can introduce more passionate kissing techniques, but they can only be sustained for so long. Always return to a slow, comfortable pace. Start with a kiss on the lips, then, if you want to French kiss, slowly move your tongue into your partner's mouth as they do the same.