Have you ever wondered why kissing makes you tired? No, it’s not because your partner is boring (although that might be a factor). In fact, there’s a science behind why kissing can make us feel sleepy. Read on to find out why.
Why do you feel tired after kissing?
1. It boosts your ‘happy hormones’.
Romantic kissing releases endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that are associated with feelings of happiness and pleasure. This affects the pleasure centers of the brain and can also lead to feeling sleepy.
This is because kissing triggers the release of particular hormones. It increases levels of oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin in the brain.
Oxytocin is sometimes referred to as the “cuddle hormone” or the “love hormone” because it plays a role in social bonding and helps us feel close to others. It also reduces levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that’s associated with feelings of pleasure and motivation, while serotonin is a neurotransmitter that’s linked to feelings of happiness and calmness. Together, these happy hormones can help reduce stress and make us feel good.
Dopamine spikes during our first kiss with a new partner to such a level that it causes us to want more. We feel euphoric and this will encourage feelings of affection toward our partner. Dopamine is associated with addictive behaviour, so when our lips lock we are programmed to want more. This helps to build romantic relationships and fosters feelings of love and lust toward each other.
Read also: Why do I find everything funny when I’m tired?
Oxytocin helps us sleep
In addition to making us feel happy, oxytocin also has soothing qualities that can help reduce anxiety and promote restfulness. Oxytocin levels are highest right before we fall asleep, which might explain why we often get drowsy after kissing. So if you find yourself getting sleepy after locking lips with your significant other, don’t fight it! Just snuggle up and enjoy the moment.
This is also one of the main reasons why being around your partner makes you tired.
2. It lowers stress hormone levels.
Kissing can also help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. One study found that participants who kissed their partners had lowered cortisol levels and felt less stressed than those who didn’t kiss their partners. Cortisol is a stress hormone that’s linked to negative health effects like high blood pressure, weight gain and anxiety. So, if you’re feeling stressed out, consider puckering up!
Lower cortisol levels is one reason why you get sleepy when someone plays with your hair too.
3. It exercises your facial muscles.
Believe it or not, kissing can also give your facial muscles a workout. A passionate kiss uses about 34 facial muscles, which can help tone your muscles and give your face a mini workout. And if you’re looking for an even bigger challenge, try making different shapes with your mouth while you kiss (think O’s, X’s and heart shapes).
4. It burns calories.
Kissing isn’t just good for your mind and body—it’s also good for your waistline! A full minute of passionate kissing can burn up to 26 calories, which isn’t bad at all! So next time you’re feeling short on energy, try kissing your partner instead of reaching for a cup of coffee.
5. Dehydration.
The third and final theory on why kissing makes you tired is dehydration. When you kiss, your mouth produces saliva which can lead to dehydration if you’re not drinking enough fluids throughout the day. Dehydration can cause fatigue, lethargy, and weakness. So if you find yourself feeling fatigued after a make-out session, make sure to drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body.
6. It lowers your blood pressure.
When we kiss, our heart rate increases and our blood pressure decreases, which slows blood flow around the body. This can lead to a feeling of relaxation and sleepiness. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself feeling calm and sleepy after an intimate moment with your partner.
7. It can be physically exhausting.
Though it may seem like a leisurely activity, kissing is actually an intense physical workout. It can be especially exhausting if you’ve been making out for a long time. You may not realize it, but all that lip-locking and body contact increases your heart rate and breathing rate. Plus, it’s physically taxing to hold yourself up while pressing against another person with your lips.
So the next time you find yourself feeling sleepy after kissing, don’t worry—it’s totally normal! It may be due to all those happy hormones and physical exhaustion from kissing. Just take a nap or grab a cup of coffee and you’ll be good to go in no time.
Conclusion: Why does kissing make you tired?
Who knew that there was so much science behind why kissing makes you tired? Next time you find yourself dozing off after a long make-out session with your partner, you can blame it on the increase in oxytocin levels. Or the decrease in cortisol levels. Or the boost in endorphins… Really, you can blame it on all of those things! But at the end of the day, who cares why kissing makes you tired? Sometimes, it’s just nice to cuddle up and take a nap with the one you love, so if you are having trouble sleeping you may want to go in for more kisses.