No. Yes.
The act of placing one’s lips upon another’s does stimulate hormones and creates a delightful mood as a result of oxytocing being released whtich creates one’s attraction for more ‘good’ vibes. Dopamine is also released which stimulaes the pleasure scenter of the brain. And done right it can decrease depression It is a stress reducer and can reduce cholesterol levels also… if done often and right. (Science has discovered lowering stress lowers cholesterol)
However…
Kissing can result in the ‘kissing’ disease or otherwise known as ‘infection mononucleosis. (I got that once. Gave it to my future hubby too) And Herpes simplex…due to the viruses present in the saliva. But…rarely does one contract HIV. That has been proven since HIV is not transferred by saliva but by other means not discussed here. Where HIV was transferred between kissers was via an infectious a ‘gum disease.” (Wiki)
Therefore, kissing is not a disease unless you want to consider this a phycological ‘addiction.’ Then, it does become very interesting. Shall we indulge further…
Culturally, the world has not always kissed. Approved of kissing. Encouraged kissing. Stopped kissing. We are a crazy bunch out here and have been all through history. The exception could be the maternal kiss to a child.
The earliest writing appeared about 3500BC and it seems there are no writings, no cave paintings no archaeological records of loves embracing in kisses. Lots of writing about farming, crops, wine, beer, taxes…but not kissing. (To Kiss: Vaughn M Bryant Jr. & Sylvia Grider.)
There are not cave drawing of two stick people kissing. About everything else but not kissing…affectionately. Apparently, it is not believed that indigenous people of Australia, Tahiti or some tribes in Africa and Egypt as well… did not kiss…well, at first. Until the 20th century, the culture of Japan never thought of kissing except as a mother to a child. Husbands, wives, lovers just never kissed but went on to ‘first base.’
Kissing began to be studied in the 20th century by many as a gentleman named Ernest Crawley. And since kissing is sensory and touching is a strong sensory, kissing became a very strong sensory: regarding the feelings of affection, love and honor. Kissing was a rare expression’ among the lower and semicivilized races’ but quickly became fully established in higher societies’.
Kissing is actually new in Western Cultures really. In China, they rubbed noses…like the Eskimo’s kiss. But against the cheek of another. Thus the ‘sniff kiss’ done in South-east Asia and other Eastern countries. I bet pheromones play into this since scent is also a powerful sensory.
Then, along come those nasty invaders who changed all that. Greece, Assyria and India. Oh and don’t forget Romans and Celts.
