Kissing is a way to show affection, and maybe even initiate intimacy between you and your partner. And while it can stir up a lot of intense emotions, kissing can also have some major physical effects on our bodies. Thankfully, most of the effects are good.

When you're making out with your sweetie, does your pulse start racing? Do you find that your breath quickens and your palms get clammy when you lock lips with your lover?

If so, there's a good chance that it's due to a surge of adrenaline and noradrenaline, according to Mental Floss. Those chemicals are the fight-or-flight hormones that gets you amped up and ready to go — whatever that might mean in any particularl passionate instance. Since your blood is flowing quicker than usual, you may feel more energized and excited in the moment.

If this is your first kiss with someone, this reaction may be compounded. Sheril Kirshenbaum, author of The Science of Kissing, told Shape that the anticipation of that first smooch can amp up the amount of norepinephrine in your brain. That would explain the sudden onset of nerves that you experience when you and your crush are leaning in for that long-anticipated first kiss.

It can indeed be anxiety-inducing for both of the kissing parties, but those nervous tummy butterflies and the pitter-patter beating of your heart account for half the fun, right?

Watch this video for more on what happens to your body when you kiss!

#Kissing #HereIsWhatHappens

A surge of adrenaline | 0:00

The release of happy chemicals | 1:14

Kissing may boost arousal | 2:20

Stressed out and anxious? | 3:18

Kissing may decrease cholesterol | 4:27

A calorie-burning activity | 5:41

A subconscious genetic analysis | 6:39

Swapping good and bad bacteria | 7:43

Improve your facial muscles | 9:02

Eradicate headaches and cramps | 9:44

You might get more cavities | 10:40

An allergic reaction | 11:31