What's in a Kiss?

by Tracy Bohannon

Nothing is quite as romantic as kissing your loved one in the dark. Just the two of you, a darkened room, and kisses, sweet as any chocolate. But wait a minute. It's dark. Sure, it's easy enough to find each other's bodies in the dark, but lips? How is it that we can find each other's lips, even when the lights are off?

Believe it or not, this has actually been the topic of scientific study. Dr. Michael Graziano of Princeton University has found that we have neurons that act as sensors for different parts of the body. These neurons get "turned on," so to speak, when something--or someone--approaches.

What does all this mean? It's easy. When we're making out in the dark, our neurons are hard at work seeking out the lips of our partner. I suppose this might take some of the romance out of kissing in a darkened room, but I like to think of it this way: it brings new meaning to the term "Global Positioning System," doesn't it?