9 Things That Happen When You Kiss Someone You Love

Co-authored by Maya Diamond, MA and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: March 29, 2024 Fact Checked

A smile appears on your lips as your partner leans in. This is it—they’re going to kiss you! But what’s it going to feel like? How will you know if this is true love’s kiss? When you kiss someone, a surge of emotions races through you, and your body can react in many different ways. We’ve got all the whys and hows behind the feelings of a kiss, so keep reading to learn what it feels likes to kiss someone you love.

How Kissing Someone You Love Feels

You’ll feel giddy and happy, and you may even have butterflies in your stomach. You’ll naturally want to pull them closer, and it feels like time stops when you’re kissing them. You might feel relaxed even as your heart rate increases. During and after the kiss, you may find yourself thinking they’re the one.

1

You get all giddy.

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When you kiss someone, your body releases happy hormones. A rush of dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin hits your system the moment your lips lock. With this positive cocktail and a heart-fluttering kiss, you’ll feel like you’re on cloud nine!^{[1]
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- Lips are one of your body's most sensually sensitive areas. There are thousands of nerves constantly active, and even a quick peck can light up the pleasure centers of your brain.

2

You have butterflies in your stomach.

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That nervous feeling is from rising cortisol levels. It’s natural to feel a little nervous or anxious when you’re with someone you like, especially if you think you may love them! These anxious nerves trigger your stress response and tell your body to release more cortisol, the stress hormone.^{[2]
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- Those fluttering butterflies are a sign that you care deeply for this person, so don’t be afraid to pull them back in for another kiss!

3

You want to pull them closer.

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If you’re in love, oxytocin will be racing through you. Oxytocin is a calming and bonding chemical your body produces when you’re in love. You might suddenly have the urge to hug, kiss, or get more physical with your partner after your lips touch. This is a completely natural response, so follow your instincts and dive back in for more!^{[3]
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American Heart Association
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- Look into your partner’s eyes and ask them how they feel before kissing them again. It’s important to make sure you’re both on the same page before taking things up a notch.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Maya Diamond, MA
  Relationship Coach
  
  Expert Interview.}

4

It feels like time stands still.

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That moment of awe sparked by a kiss can silence the world. When you kiss someone you love, you’re focusing on the present, captured in a moment of awe. Nothing else matters but you and your partner. You become more aware of emotions and physical sensations, and all worries and anxieties dissipate.^{[5]
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- If this doesn't happen to you, don't worry! Everyone's experience is different.

5

Your heart rate increases.

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Adrenaline keeps you on your toes when you kiss someone you love. That pitter-patter of your heart is your body shouting, “Love! Love! Love!” An accelerated heart rate has you moving, thinking, and feeling faster. If your heart feels like it’s going to burst out of your chest, chances are that was one passionate kiss.^{[6]
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American Psychological Association
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- Being physically affectionate with someone triggers your adrenal gland, which then causes an adrenaline rush.
- Did you know that a higher heart rate can actually lower your blood pressure? Relaxing your blood vessels is just another perk of kissing someone you love!^{[7]
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6

Your muscles relax.

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Believe it or not, kissing can help relieve stress and anxieties. Now, we’re not saying love isn’t stressful (it certainly can be at times), but kissing can distract your mind from all those day-to-day worries. Your body releases a hormone called oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, when you kiss. Because of this, you may feel your body relax and a sense of bliss wash over you.^{[8]
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- In the moment, all your worries wash away as your mind and body are overwhelmed by pleasure.
- Lean into this feeling! It’s okay to feel at ease in the person you love’s arms, so cherish the moment.

7

Your palms get sweaty.

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Kissing can trigger the sympathetic nervous system. You're bound to be excited if you’re kissing someone you love. With more passion comes more sweat, and that’s totally normal! The sympathetic nervous system controls all those excitable feelings: nervous belly, beating heart, and sweaty palms. Take those slick hands as a sign that you really like them.^{[9]
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PubMed Central
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- Sweaty hands are nothing to be embarrassed about, but you can dry them with some clever maneuvering. For example, casually rub your hands along their back or bring them down the front of their chest while kissing. This subtle massage is a great way to up the romance and cool your palms.^{[10]
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  Eddy Baller
  Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview. 7 February 2020.}

8

Your cheeks flush.

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All that extra adrenaline sure can make you feel hot. That bright glow you have after a kiss is all thanks to a heightened heart rate. A kiss will leave you feeling exhilarated, which can cause a rise in body temperature.^{[11]
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Research source} But don’t worry! This will go down as your heart rate settles to its natural rhythm.
- You can’t control the heat rising to your cheeks, so embrace the flush! This is a tell-tale sign that you like them, and who knows—they may even blush back.

9

Your vision gets blurry.

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When you’re attracted to someone, your pupils dilate. This is a natural and automatic response you simply can’t control and probably have no idea is happening. After you kiss someone, you may need to blink a few times to see their beautiful face clearly. This is all a reaction from your sympathetic nervous system.^{[12]
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- Have a little fun with your partner and see if you can watch each other’s pupils dilate. There’s a high chance their pupils will grow if they love you too.

10

You giggle afterwards.

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This is an involuntary response to all those nerves and good vibes. There are so many happy hormones running through you that the only way they can escape is through a joyous chuckle. This is your body’s way of relaxing after such an extraordinary event. Your stress levels lower, your muscles ease, and your heart sings. Plus, is there anything more contagious than a laugh?^{[13]
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HelpGuide
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- Your partner may start giggling with you, and that’s a great sign!
- Laughter has been proven to strengthen relationships and attraction, so your involuntary giggle may have them wanting more.

11

You start thinking they’re the one.

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Kissing is all about finding a mate. It may sound silly, but science has actually proven that locking lips can help you find your life partner. A group of genes inside of you called MHC make up a part of your immune system and give you your natural scent. When you kiss someone, you take in every part of them, even their scent. That MHC is working behind the scenes to get you feeling all warm and fuzzy. If their MHC is the opposite of yours, you're likely a perfect match.^{[14]
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- Think of it like yin and yang. Opposite MHCs attract one another, so chances are, if you like kissing your partner, your genes helped you find your soulmate.

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Tips

If you feel uncomfortable kissing at any point, tell them. You can try saying something like, “I want to kiss you, but I’m not ready for that yet.”^{[15]
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Maya Diamond, MA
Relationship Coach

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Thanks
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If you don’t feel one or more of these feelings when kissing someone, that’s perfectly okay! It doesn’t mean you don’t love whoever you’re kissing. Love is more than a physical sensation, and we all experience it in different ways.

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