Feb. 14, 2011— -- Psychologists report that most people can remember up to 90 percent of the details of their first romantic kiss, a memory that is even more powerful than their first sexual encounter.
It turns out, your first romantic kiss is likely to be etched in your memory forever. More than 90% of all people remember the details of their first kiss and, research points out, even more vividly than when they lost their virginity. Researchers from the University of Toronto studied why this happens.
According to Sheril Kirshenbaum, a scientist at the University of Texas, a first kiss is likely to be one of your most vivid memories, even more so than losing your virginity. Kirshenbaum's forthcoming book says that the memory is so distinct that most of us are able to recall 90% of the details.
In a separate survey within the study, 59% of men and 66% of women reported on occasion finding themselves attracted to someone, only to lose interest after kissing them for the first time.
All Your Brain's Happy Chemicals Are Released
It's why a first kiss is so exhilarating, and why it so often leads to the desire to be even more intimate.
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.
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.
Not every first kiss, though, is a great kiss. They can be awkward, especially if the moment is not right or even forced. Even still, we are physically wired to tell the difference between a bad kiss from a good kisser and a "this does nothing for me" lipsmack.
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?
Your first kiss won't be a 20 minute make-out session. You will most likely have a five second (if that) kissing session that will consist of two lips puckered that touch each other with some suction. That's it. You'll release, look into each other's eyes and you'll think it's magical.
No matter what type of kiss you decide to go for, the one thing you want to make sure you do is hold this kiss for at least three seconds, preferably five!
'What's more, we found that how vividly we perceive something in the first place predicts how vividly we will remember it later on. 'We call this 'emotionally enhanced vividness' and it is like the flash of a flashbub that illuminates an event as it's captured for memory. '
What do guys feel when they kiss a girl? He wants to please you and wonders if you're having a good time. Asking you if you enjoyed the kiss is one of the signs the kiss meant something to him, and he hopes it meant something to you, too.
Try cradling the side of her face or her chin with one hand while you kiss her. Or you could gently stroke her cheek or neck while you kiss. For an even more intense option, place one hand on each side of her face and pull her towards you as you go in for the kiss. Hold her face close to yours while you kiss her.
Kerner: It signals sexual acceptance; it's usually the result of a lot of sexual anticipation; and it's the first fresh connection of sensitive nerve endings. Beland: It's the first thing you're doing that's off limits to everyone else in your life. You can hug anyone, kiss anyone on the cheek, no big deal.
It's never too late to have your first kiss, to love and be loved, or to get in “the game.” I think you already know that, or at least suspect it, but here's me saying: You're right. It always seems impossible until it happens. For now, take that pressure off yourself, and enjoy being 20.
Most "smooth" lines that people come up with after kisses are laughably bad -- a smile and a simple "I liked that," is often more than enough. Don't overthink things! Just keep being yourself. If you feel confident and have something to say, say it!
Among 13-year-olds, for example, 36 percent have kissed romantically; at 14 it shoots up to 61 percent, and among 17-year-olds it's 84 percent.
This article has had 862,013 views. It's fine if you're 12-15 years old and nervous about kissing another teen. These emotions are quite natural, and there is no need to rush into your first kiss. Everyone needs to have their first kiss at some time in their lives, so don't overthink it.
Some people may start developing physically and emotionally at age 13, while others may not reach that point until they are much older. There is no right or wrong age to have your first kiss; it all depends on when you feel ready.
A kiss might seem like a natural thing to do for most of us, but the scientific jury is still out on whether it is a learned or instinctual behaviour. Approximately 90 per cent of cultures kiss, making a strong case for the act being a basic human instinct.
-Kissing seems to be more important before sex and much less so after. -Overall, kissing is more important for women than for men in having a satisfying sexual experience. -Overall men prefer wetter kisses with more tongue than do women.