The Art of Kissing presented by Delta Dental of Kentucky, a leader in dental benefits, sponsored this event for the author of the "Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us"; Sheril Kirshenbaum. While no one may know who started the kissing trend, that has never faded, red lips might have been the attraction says Kirshenbaum. Majority of modern day kissers are full of gratitude for companies like Delta Dental who are passionate advocates for oral health and wellness; which has made kissing a fresher experience for both parties involved.
Sheril Kirshenbaum is a scientist with the Webber Energy Group at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy. She works to enhance public understanding of energy issues as they relate to food, oceans, and culture. Kirshenbaum is also the coauthor of “Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future.”
Kirshenbaum is a graduate of Tufts University and holds two master’s of science degrees in marine biology and marine policy from the University of Maine. She cohosts The Intersection on Discover blogs with Chris Mooney and has contributed to DeSmogBlog, Talking Science, Wired Science, and Seed. She was born in Suffern, New York, and is also a musician.
Fun facts learned from Kirschenbaum:
- Familial kissing as children is responsible for feelings of security and belonging, and our sense of smell, particularly a woman's sense of smell, offers cues about the compatibility of a potential partner.
- Scientists know that the lips are "overrepresented in the brain" because the sensations of taste and smell are located nearby, and that there are noticeable increases in chemicals associated with pleasure and bonding.
- Men and woman kiss for different reasons… Women describe kissing as a way to assess how they might feel about a man and a woman's sense of smell and taste are heightened.
- Advice: limit alcohol and drug intake. Because if kissing acts on the body, and it does, why cloud that special feeling? And as for when: as much as you can... It's good for you.
Tammy York-Day, Vice President, Operations at Delta Dental of Kentucky represented the company as a “Session Co-Sponsor” and opened up the session for Sheril Kirshenbaum . York-Day is also planning an amazing Derby weekend event for 2012 with her sister Tonya York-Dees be sure to pay attention when you see these sisters, they are truly making an impact in Louisville.
Photograph Courtesy of Stephanie Apple and IdeaFestival.