The Health Benefits of Kissing

The Health Benefits of Kissing by Sandra LaMorgese PhD

There’s nothing more sensual than a deep, passionate kiss, one that unhinges your knees and takes your breath away. It’s more intimate than sex. A bad kiss however can have the opposite effect, leaving you with a queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. We put a lot of stock in kissing. A bad kiss can mow down a budding relationship and a good one can seal the deal. Ever wonder why we kiss at all? It’s such a magical act. But if you step back and think about it logically, two people putting their lips together in weird ways doesn’t on the surface make a whole lot of sense. According to a study out of Oxford University the reason we kiss is to evaluate a potential mate.  There are several times across human courtship that we assess a candidate for love, and that first kiss is a big one. Not only does it pave the way for pair bonding, it also allows us to evaluate one’s mate on a genetic level. Though we are completely unaware, when we kiss a new mate our bodies consider carefully the genetic makeup of the other, including their immune system, all conducted via the olfactory system. In genetic outlook, we on a subconscious level determine if the other person’s immune system is different enough from ours. If it is, the offspring will have a good chance of survival and so our system gives us the go-ahead.

There are lots of health benefits to kissing.  It reduces blood pressure .  The heart speeds up and the blood vessels dilate giving the body more blood flow and an energy boost. Blood vessel dilation can also help alleviate the pain of headaches and cramps, though admittedly kissing is often the last thing on our minds when we have these. Brushing and flossing are not the only ways to maintain a healthy mouth. With kissing, more saliva is created, helping to remove plaque buildup which can cause cavities. Have you been feeling a little blue or stressed out lately? A passionate make out session can put you in better spirits. It’s not only fun it releases feel good biochemicals such as oxytocin the “calm and cuddle” hormone, serotonin the happiness neurotransmitter and dopamine which gives us a sense of wellbeing. Kissing also boosts our self-esteem. One German study found that husbands who received a good kiss from their wives when leaving for work were happier, less stressed and more productive. They even earned more. Worried about aging? Kissing tightens the muscles of the jaw and neckline.

So how do you make sure you are a good kisser? Everyone has their own preferences and technique. Some people are heavy into the tongue action. Others are conservative with the tongue. There are those who are squeamish about the amount of saliva exchanged. There have been plenty of would-be relationships cut short by the phrase, “S/he slobbered all over me.” For a first kiss, start out with a simple smooch on the lips and work slowly into open mouth kissing. Don’t probe with the tongue too soon. Work into it. A gentle in and out motion or a twirling is sexy and a huge turn on. Try to keep it on the drier side, at least at first. Do make sure you haven’t eaten a mountain of garlic and onions beforehand. William Cane is the author of The Art of Kissing. He says one of the techniques people love is lip-o-suction. This is kissing and lightly sucking the person’s top lip while they go for your bottom one, or vice versa. When tongue kissing, you can run your tongue over your lover’s teeth and gums to add more sensation to the experience. A nice flavored lip balm can add something. If you’re planning it all out, see if you can feed your lover strawberries beforehand. It helps to awaken the taste buds, making your mouth extra sensitive. Don’t forget the other aspects such as eye contact during pauses, grabbing the nape of the neck or the head and pulling your lover in. You can even bite their lower if you’re feeling naughty. Rake your nails down their back. Build slowly from sweet to powerful and passionate. Some people like this example: model intercourse in your lover’s mouth. Do so by starting from gentle foreplay to full on action using your tongue. With the tongue, begin with slow circles and work towards a strong, passionate full-on tongue tornado. Few things are more enjoyable or powerful in life than kissing. Why not make the most of it?

Sandra LaMorgese Ph.D. is an expert in bridging the gap between mind, body and spiritual holistic living and sexuality. specializing in life transformation, interpersonal communication, beauty, health, wellness and sexual intimacy. She has worked as a the Director of Education for "Cures," a wellness skin and body care brand, and is a metaphysician, holistic practitioner, ordained Reverend and Huffington Post blogger. She is also the author of “SWITCH:TIME FOR A CHANGE." Due to be released 2015 and has been featured as an expert on The Howard Stern Show, FORTUNE Magazine, New Jersey Life Magazine, POSE Magazine, and The LYFE Magazine, among other media highlights, in addition to writing numerous articles on the topic of life transformation, health, beauty, vitality, intimacy and sexuality. As the radio talk show host of “Getting Intimate with Dr. Sandra LaMorgese” Sandra interviews guests that have “walked the walk” in authentic living. During the show, expert guests answer questions and educate listeners about authentic living, healthy sexual intimacy, sexual authenticity, BDSM, and all things sexy. In addition, every week stand-up comedian, singer, writer, and actor Carolynn Mincin gives her take on “What’s Trending with the Most Unbalanced Woman in Comedy, Nicole Geib opens our eyes and hearts on "Our Week in Culture" and Rev. DiAnna Ritola's segment "Holy Queer" she inspires and counsels on sexual and spiritual authenticity, living out loud, queering the spiritual perspective, and embracing our Divinely Human Selves. LaMorgese is a licensed esthetician, and holds degrees in communications,holistic nutrition, and metaphysical science, and conducts transformational, female sexual empowerment, anti-aging, wellness and sexuality, and communication seminars in local and extended communities. Sandra is also a professionally trained actor who has studied method, film, and television at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, commercial acting at the School for Film & Television, and media presentation training at On Camera . . . and Off, Inc. with Larry Conroy, all in New York City.

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Is there anything to this "Carbs" thing?

Carbs, carbs, carbs... That's all I seem to hear about these days, when it comes to getting/staying fit and eating right. But are carbs really of the devil? Do they short-circuit your training and fitness goals?

The first time I ever heard anyone talk about carb-limiting was many years ago when a friend did the Atkins Diet. The gist I got of the diet, was that one could basically eat all of the fats and proteins they desired, but no carbs. I thought it sounded like a crazy plan. After all, the FDA has given us Minimum Daily Requirements and the Food Pyramid, which have been drilled into us from an early age. The foundation of which, is The Bread, Cereal, Rice and Pasta Group. Surely, if we don't consume these "essential" foods, we will be unhealthy, and maybe even die!

But the (Atkins) diet worked! My friend lost (a lot) of weight, and seemingly effortlessly. He could eat as much of the meats, fat, eggs, and dairy he wanted, just no carbs. He seemed not to have any significant hunger, and the pounds definitely dropped off him. His health seemed okay, too. He didn't fall into a coma, or develop palsy, or have convulsions, as my schooling had lead me to fear.

The only negative that stands out to me from observing this person on that diet, is that when he was done with the diet, all of the weight slowly returned. Though, each time he'd do the diet again, the fat would drop right back off. Very ponderous!

Fast forward to today. A workout buddy has been getting the coaching advice of a competitive body builder, who has shared a cutting regimen used for getting super lean, in preparation for competitions. I'm over simplifying here, but two major components involve a day of "carb loading" or consuming a huge (huge!) amount of carbohydrates, followed by several days of nothing but (a lot of) proteins.

My primitive understanding is that the "carb day" tricks your body into burning fat in a different way, and at a different rate for a period of time, while the protein days support muscle growth and general lean-ness, without having you go into starvation mode, or reduced metabolism.

This is actually a super-intense (understatement!) version of what I've been doing for my normal eating regimen for about 6 years now, and in my experience it works extremely well (browse through my pics if you need proof).

Sorry, FDA and USDA, but I think your advice has made for a lot of fat Americans! And there is lots of research and evidence to back that up.

The basics of my regimen come from two main sources: "The Slow Carb Diet" from the Tim Ferriss book titled: The 4 Hour Body; and from an amazing nutritional program by Joel Marion called: Cheat Your Way Thin.

You can find the Tim Ferriss book at Amazon. It helped me understand the damage done by consuming too many of the wrong kinds of carbohydrates. The Cheat Your Way Thin program really revolutionized my eating plan into one that is very sustainable (for life), and is extremely effective. I found out that I don't need to totally deprive myself of sweets, carbs, and the foods I really enjoy to maintain a lean and fit body. Like my body building friend, mentioned earlier, I discovered that I can use carbs in a specific way to "trick" my body, while enjoying the foods I love, and having an incentive to follow my plan.

It's easy, and I have not abandoned it in over 6 years now.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I needed a nutritional plan that: 1) Worked; and 2) I could live with for the rest of my life. I think I can now safely say that I'm living proof that those criteria have been successfully met. What good is a diet if it's not something that easily just becomes normal and habit? That's the thing... The best diet in the world is nearly worthless if you ultimately abandon it.

So, yes, there is something to this "Carbs" thing. And there is an easy road map to show you the way - FOR LIFE!

Browse my links in this post, and over in the right hand column. They have all been useful tools I personally continue to use to support a long, healthy life.


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Update Pic

8/2016 180# (51yo)

So, here is just an update pic. At 51, I'm still working it, and will for the rest of my life. I feel great, heal quickly, move well, and love helping others reach their fitness goals. I still have goals to work toward and achieve, but the real aim is living in fabulous health at 90+. Looking great is okay too! ;)

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