Engaging in affectionate gestures like kissing with friends can bring a unique sense of joy and connection to relationships. Beyond the romantic context, kissing friends can serve as a means of expressing deep platonic affection and reinforcing bonds. It fosters a warm and intimate atmosphere, creating moments of shared happiness and comfort. The act of kissing, even in a non-romantic context, releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, promoting a positive emotional experience. It becomes a way to celebrate friendships, breaking down societal barriers that may restrict such expressions. Ultimately, kissing friends can contribute to a rich tapestry of emotional connections, making the journey of friendship even more delightful and fulfilling.

There’s a dearth of research on the benefits of kissing friends. A quick review of the literature suggests that scholars are interested in the sociological significance of kissing within romantic relationships (Hughes et al., 2007) and the physiological benefits of kissing within committed couplings (Floyd et al., 2009). Existing studies suggest that kissing brings a range of benefits to the participant and that there are gender differences when it comes to what kissing means within relationships. Although these studies used couples in relationships, they do not preclude the possibility that these benefits apply equally well to platonic relationships; however, if we are to take the Hughes et al. (2007) study at face value, we might be wary of kissing our boy friends as they may be subtly trying to entice us into something more.