Kissing releases nature’s antidepressant, oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that may help you bond with your partner. Kissing also releases more mood-boosting brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. And research also suggests that kissing can decrease your cortisol and cholesterol levels. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone because your body produces it when it’s under stress. High cortisol levels have been tied to negative health effects like higher blood pressure and impaired mental performance.
