Diving Into the Lip Lock

We all know kissing can feel magical. But the question is, why?

Image by Freepik

A kiss is just a kiss, right? Well, not exactly.

Kissing someone can be one of life’s most magnificent pleasures — conveying our deepest emotions when words can’t quite do the trick. And when it’s right, it feels like heaven on earth.

But why do we humans kiss? How did it start? And most importantly, what makes it so intensely amazing when the chemistry is right? Let’s dive into the lip lock.

First contact

Have you heard the saying, “The best way to man’s heart is through his stomach”? Some scientists say this may be true — literally.

Consider how our ancient ancestors — the apes — looked for food. The most successful foragers excelled at detecting reddish colors, like those seen in the ripest fruits and berries. Over many generations, this skill naturally evolved into the belief that “red equals reward.”

So wherever a shade of crimson could be seen, our primate ancestors perked up and paid full attention. And one of the most obvious places the color popped up? On the backsides of female apes— whose rear ends turn bright crimson when they’re ready for what you might call “monkey business.”