The Perfect Tree

I am the baby of three children; both of my parents are still alive, though, none of my blood grandparents are. I will be the first to tell you that my upbringing wasn't exactly the traditional sort. My dad was always working. My mom basically raised us alone. My sister on the other end of the country. When we didn't have sitters, we were at the family business, running around causing trouble. Let's be honest, not exactly the childhood dream. But I had a great childhood. Sometimes my family can drive me utterly insane! That doesn't mean that I stop loving them.

So this got me thinking.  Why is my family a little coo-coo for coconuts? Maybe someone or something can give me a little insight on where we came from. This is where I started.

 

1. Start your family tree

Your immediate family often holds the key to starting your family history research. Record the memories of your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins as you start exploring your family tree online. Ask each relative about specific individuals and gather details surrounding their lives including nicknames, places they lived, vital information (including birth, marriage, and death dates), occupations, and other important clues. Enjoy a free questionnaire below to get started with your family history.
 

2. Search your home for scrapbooks

Family scrapbooks often yield important clues for family history research. Examine your home for vital records (birth certificates), school records, family bibles, diaries and letters, old photographs, and memorabilia boxes that tell stories about your family.
 

3. Start with the family history basics

Use your initial research for your first searches and then analyze your results to achieve a personal success strategy. Following the family history golden rules will help you become a more efficient researcher and hopefully lead to greater rewards in your family search.
 

4.Start your online family tree

Build your online family tree to organize your results. Keeping your research and records organized is important as you continue to find new details related to your family. Enter important information, including names, dates, and places to build a solid foundation as you continue exploring your family history.
 

5. Start with a family story

When building your family tree, identify a potential story about family that you are interested to begin exploring. Aim to uncover both newspaper archives and records relating to your family’s stories in your research. Stories can include military service (such as exploring World War I military service records), occupational stories (memories of a first paycheck or time spent as a Merchant Marine), educational memories (attending high school or college) or a family legend (being descendant from a prominent individual in American history or confirm stories of a renegade ancestor with detailed criminal records).
 

6. Join the family history conversation

Join a network of family hisorians both experienced and new on social networking resources (like findmypast's Facebook and Twitter) to make new connections and gain insight on how to expand your family history resources.

Staying tuned to the findmypast.com blog for latest record updates and podcasts to help expand your family history search. Read genealogy articles and watch YouTube videos related to family history to start building your knowledge base of records and methods for tracing your family tree.
 

7. Search the U.S. census

The U.S. Federal census is the largest resource for family history and is a solid starting place for examining your family tree. Starting with the newly released 1940 US census, trace parents and grandparents through the census, recording their names, ages, birthplaces, immigration details, occupations, and residences as your build out your family tree.
 

8. Search one family story at a time

Focus on one or two families at a time to help organize your research and increase your productivity. Select one or two families that interest you, rather than trying to tackle your entire family tree at once. Spend time gathering information and documenting your family in small pieces as you work towards the larger goal of filling out your family tree.
 

9. Gather materials from relatives

Your relatives will likely have important resources in their homes that can assist your search. Family bibles, letters, certifications, and other important materials might be only a phone call away. Some family members might have old genealogical information from other relatives who have also worked on the family history that can help jump start your search.
 

10. Find a Family History Society

Connect with other genealogists and family historians through a local genealogical society or family history event in your area. You can also post questions to online forums for others to answer when you need help with your research. Attending local classes about family tree research, family history records, and how to avoid brick walls is an important step to finding answers for beginners and advanced genealogists alike.

 

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Some people go a little further into their search where they actually do a DNA search for siblings, parents, and other relatives. Genetics is a complex field with lots of details to keep straight. But when you get a handle on some key terms and concepts, including the structure of DNA and the laws of inheritance, you can start putting the pieces together for a better understanding of genetics.

TIME FOR A SCIENCE LESSON!

 

Glossary
Alleles: Alternative forms of a gene

Autosomal chromosome: A non-sex chromosome

Chromosome: A linear or circular strand composed of DNA that contains genes

Diploid: An organism with two copies of each chromosome

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that carries genetic information

Dominant: A phenotype or allele that completely masks the presence of the other, recessive allele in the heterozygote

Gene: The fundamental unit of heredity; a specific section of DNA within a chromosome

Genotype: The genetic makeup of an individual; the allele(s) possessed at a given locus

Heterozygote: An individual with two different alleles of a given gene or locus

Homozygote: An individual with two identical alleles of a given gene or locus

Locus: A specific location on a chromosome

Nucleotides: a compound consisting of a nucleoside linked to a phosphate group. Nucleotides form the basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA.

Phenotype: The physical characteristics of an individual

Recessive: A phenotype or allele exhibited only when homozygous

 



 

DNA is made up of long chains of nucleotides. To make a complete DNA molecule, single nucleotides join to make chains that come together as matched pairs and form long double strands. Each nucleotide is comprised of the following:

• A five-sided (pentose) sugar called deoxyribose
• A phosphate
• One of four nitrogen-rich bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, or thymine

Nucleotides are joined together by phosphodiester bonds. Nucleotide chains are antiparallel and complementary






So all of that science jargon aside, there are sites that are available to help you in your search. The very popular Ancestry.com is a common one you'll see on TV commercials and internet ads. Ancestry does have the availability to search with vital information such as names, dates, locations, etc, but also has the option to search via DNA, military records, and even obituaries.

They even have an ancestry blog that posts relatively often that they describe as,

"Here you will find informational, and sometimes fun, posts from the folks behind the scenes here at Ancestry. We hope you’ll notice just how passionate we are about family history and about the products we’re building to help connect families over distance and time."

You can even send a subscription to someone as a gift! Honestly, I understand why it is the most popular of all the sites out there to check your Genealogy.

Another very viable site that can be used for this sort of searching is Omni Trace. Their site openly states their testimonial success stories right on the home page! It has the availabilities to search for a unknown family members to long lost friends to background checks to missing person searches. 

"OmniTrace–The People Search Experts–was founded in 2001 specifically to locate missing people and to reunite biological families separated by adoption. Today, in our 14th year in business, OmniTrace has grown into a renowned private investigative agency (Lic. #2200304). We now also serve the banking, insurance, clinical trial and legal communities.

We are still best known for our adoption related searches, estimating we’ve reunited more birth parents and adoptees than all other search companies combined. In addition, we have located tens of thousands of old friends, beneficiaries, deadbeat dads, child support skips, heirs, classmates, lost loves, military buddies, and many others.

If you are interested in our adoption services we will provide an evaluation to determine if you have enough information to start a search. While we cannot guarantee we will locate your birth mother or adopted child, we will provide a professional investigation and every client will receive a detailed report of our results. A licensed investigator will review the results with you, should you have questions."

 

Omni Trace also has an available blog that discusses personal experiences with clients to different routes of search and availabilities that they offer.

here's a short list of other available sites to check out if you're serious about finding...someone!

My Heritage
Family Tree Now
Family Tree Builder
Been Verified

 



I grew up with my immediate family. I spent enough time with my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc. I was fortunate enough to get that treasure.  But not everyone is as lucky as I am.

Did You Know?  Each year in the United States, about 51,000 American children are placed for adoption. In addition, about 6,500 foreign children are adopted by Americans, for a total of a little under 58,000 children adopted per year. There are no national statistics on how many people are waiting to adopt, but experts estimate it is somewhere between one and two million couples.

Knowing this, is why many of these sites got started. Sadly, that number is increasing every year. Think about that number. That is just the children. Multiply that number by three to include the parents and even a few more times for any other relatives in search. That is the amount of people that would benefit from sites like these.  I applaud the people that began this venture and everything that they stand for while they bring people together.









 

Listen To What You Can't Obviously Hear

What is your subconscious trying to tell you?

One good way to find out is through your dreams. When we sleep, our subconscious doesn’t need to battle with our conscious mind. Our emotional side is not challenged by our logic, so it’s easy for our subconscious to break through barriers. But it isn’t always easy to understand what it is trying to tell us. The subconscious relays messages in the form of dream symbols, or sometimes even bizarre dreams in which we are participants or observers. Think of a dream as a private movie screening of a film in which you play the leading role, or perhaps just sit in the front row of the theater.

Dreaming is one of the best ways for the subconscious mind to get your attention. Many people get psychic impressions from their dreams. Others may only dream when being forewarned about a situation. Some people think they never dream. They do, but probably can’t remember. In some dreams, our friends and family members may make an appearance. Even loved ones who have passed on can show up from time to time to say hello.

There are many distinctly different types of dreams.  

Prophetic Dreams are those that give us a glimpse into the future. These dreams you will want to keep record of and attempt to interpret.

Recurring Dreams are ones you have repeatedly. The same theme or series of events is always played out in this type of dream. If you experience a recurring dream, there’s probably a psychological or emotional reason for it. Your subconscious mind is telling you that there is an issue, fear, or worry you need to examine within yourself.

Precognitive Dreams: These are psychic dreams that can foretell the future. Make special note if you have a dream that feels precognitive. Even if the details are a little off, they may be close enough to alert you to upcoming events.

Warning Dreams: These dreams alert us to possible danger or problems ahead. These dreams help us by giving us prior knowledge so we can be prepared or a crisis our even stop it from happening.

Factual Dreams: We have lots of these! They don’t last long, and we’re more apt to get bits and pieces of information than tangible knowledge. However, they can be very helpful. For example, you could dream of being interviewed for a new position or of talking with a friend about something that is actually happening in your life.

Inspiration Dreams: If you are going through a personal crisis, perhaps having a difficult time at work or worrying about something, an inspiration dream offers a solution. It can give you insight to handle a situation. These dreams leave you with good feelings when you wake up.

Visitation Dreams: Sometimes, deceased loved ones want to visit us, and the best way for them to connect with us is through our dreams. When we’re asleep, our subconscious is open to receiving messages from the other side. But how do you know if you are just dreaming of a departed family member or experiencing an actual visitation?

"First, it’s important to know that your deceased loved one, in Spirit, now operates entirely on the energy of Divine Light. In Heaven. The Realm of Spirit. The Great Oneness. In that space. This space, is light, buoyant, and glowing with energy. This energy is what they use to connect with you on many levels. As your loved ones are no longer in physical body, they must use purely energy to connect with you.

This can be the energy of touch and sensation, the energy of thought and ideas, the energy of emotions, the energy of images. Basically sending energy from themselves to you."

-amanda linette meder

Very Commonly, you will attempt to understand your dreams through "dream research". There are a lot of common symbols that mean more common things, but it is very clear that any information you read through, dream symbols may mean different things for different people. That's why its entirely up to your subconscious. But here are some of the most common symbols that people dream about.


1. Being Chased
2. Water
3. Vehicles
4. People
5. School or Classroom
6. Paralysis
7. Death
8. Flying
9. Falling
10. Nudity
11. Baby
12. Food
13. House
14. Sex


Read More on each symbol here!


Did You Know? Not everyone dreams in color!

While it's believed that the majority of us dream in color, its estimated that roughly one person in eight is limited to black and white dreamscapes. But this wasn't always the case. Research on dreams from the first half of the 20th century suggests that the vast majority of people actually used to dream in black and white. But beginning in the sixties, the balance began tipping in the direction of color dreaming. What accounted for this shift? According to Dundee University's Eva Murzyn, the advent of Technicolor (i.e., color movies and television):

"It suggests there could be a critical period in our childhood when watching films has a big impact on the way dreams are formed."

But here's the real kicker: according to Murzyn, if one looks even further back in history — back before even black and white television came on the scene — all evidence suggests we were dreaming in color.

Dream interpretation is the process of assigning meaning to dreams. In many ancient societies, such as those of Egypt and Greece, dreaming was considered a supernatural communication or a means of divine intervention, whose message could be interpreted by people with these associated spiritual powers.

In modern times, various schools of psychology and neurobiology have offered theories about the meaning and purpose of dreams. Most people currently appear to interpret dream content according to the Freudian theory of dreams in countries, as found by a study conducted in the United States, India, and South Korea.

People appear to believe dreams are particularly meaningful: they assign more meaning to dreams than to similar waking thoughts. For example, people report they would be more likely to cancel a trip they had planned that involved a plane flight if they dreamt of their plane crashing the night before than if they thought of their plane crashing the night before or the Department of Homeland Security issued a Federal warning.

However, people do not attribute equal importance to all dreams. People appear to use motivated reasoning when interpreting their dreams. They are more likely to view dreams confirming their waking beliefs and desires to be more meaningful than dreams that contradict their waking beliefs and desires.

Dream analysis is a therapeutic technique best known for its use in psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud viewed dreams as “the royal road” to the unconscious and developed dream analysis, or dream interpretation, as a way of tapping into this unconscious material.

A lot of people associate dream interpretation with modern psychological analysis, but by the time the likes of Jung and Freud got around to it, the practice of dream interpretation had been in full swing for thousands of years.

Some of the first evidence of dream interpretation dates all the way back to the to the 3rd millennium BC, to the ancient cultures of the Mesopotamian. These early civilizations were not only among the first to develop writing, they also practiced dream interpretation regularly, collecting the accounts of dreams (especially those of royal figures) into dream books, complete with interpretations.Most theoretical models use the basic tenets of dream analysis in the same way: A person in therapy relates a dream to the therapist, discussion and processing follows, and new information is gleaned from the dream. At the conclusion of the process, the therapist can help the person apply the new information in a useful way. Although these similarities exist, each therapy model applies dream analysis in different ways.

Psychoanalysis: In psychoanalytic theory, dreams represent wish fulfillment, unconscious desires, and conflicts. Dreams contain both manifest and latent content. Manifest content includes information from the dream as the dreamer remembers it. Latent content represents the repressed, symbolic meaning embedded within the dream. During dream analysis, the person in therapy shares the manifest content of the dream with the therapist. After specific symbols are pulled from the manifest content, the therapist utilizes free association to facilitate the exploration of repressed material.

Then there's Jungian Analysis, which is similar to Freud's psychoanalysis in that dreams are probed for unconscious material and symbols are explored for hidden meaning. However, in Jungian dream analysis, the dreamer is more crucial in unlocking the dream's message. Additionally, dreams are seen as attempts to express and create rather than efforts to repress and disguise, as in Freud's theory. Jungian dream analysis is based on Jung's belief that unless the interpretation resonates with the dreamer, the interpretation is not helpful.

In addition to the free association method described above, Jungian analysis also utilizes a technique called amplification. Amplification is based on the assumption that humanity shares a collective unconscious, or a set of inherited universal experiences. In this technique, collectively agreed-upon associations are explored. For example, if the person in therapy dreams about a dog, the therapist will encourage the exploration and research of universally understood information about dogs (dogs are affectionate, man's best friend, dogs in mythology, and so on). Amplification goes beyond using just the individual's associations; it explores the collective understanding of the symbol to help the individual find meaning in the dream.

History of Dream Analysis in Therapy

Dreams have intrigued the human race for thousands of years. In ancient times, the Babylonians and Egyptians believed dreams were prophetic and held heavenly meaning. Aristotle interpreted dreams as psychological phenomena and viewed them as the life of one's soul while asleep. In the middle of the 19th century, the first scientifically-based dream research took place, but it was not until Freud published The Interpretation of Dreams in 1900 that dream analysis widely developed. His was the first established theory that incorporated dreams within the context of the helping relationship. Jung adapted Freud's theory, proposing that dreams do not signify repressed unconscious drives but represent expressions of creativity aimed at resolution. Since then, other therapy models like Gestalt therapy, art therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy have used dream analysis in one fashion or another.

Did you know? Everyone tends to dream about the same things!

In a study conducted in 2004, scientists from the Sleep Laboratory at the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany administered a "Typical Dream Questionnaire" to 444 participants in an effort to characterize the variability of dream content across their test population. The test subjects were asked to identify how many of 55 "typical dream themes" (like being chased, having your teeth fall out, flying, running in place, etc) they had experienced. According to the researchers:

The findings indicated that most of the 55 dream themes occurred at least once in most of the participants' lifetimes. In addition, the correlation coefficients for the rank order of the themes were very high; that is, the relative frequencies were stable.

Oh yeah! And yes, pretty much everyone dreams about sex. A study conducted in 2007 by psychologist Antonio Zadra concluded that, for men and women alike, sexual dreams account for roughly 8% of all reported dreams. According to Zadra: Sexual intercourse was the most common type of sexual content, followed by sexual propositions, kissing, and fantasies... masturbation accounted for approximately 6% of both male and female sexual dreams and an orgasm was experienced in approximately 4% of all sexual dreams.

Dream Catcher Meaning: Web, Feathers & Beads

All parts of the authentic Native American dream catcher have meaning tied to the natural world. The shape of the dream catcher is a circle because it represents the circle of life and how forces like the sun and moon travel each day and night across the sky. The dream catcher web catches the bad dreams during the night and dispose of them when the day comes. As for the good dreams, the feathers act as a fluffy, pillow-like ladder that allows them to gently descend upon the sleeping person undisturbed. There is some contention when it comes to the meaning of the beads that often decorate the dream catcher. According to some American Indians, the beads symbolize the spider—the web weaver itself. Others believe the beads symbolize the good dreams that could not pass through the web, immortalized in the form of sacred charms.

Dream Catcher Meaning Today: Authentic Symbol or Cultural Appropriation?

Though dream catchers are quite prolific, finding real authentic dream catchers is not that easy. Real handmade dream catchers are usually small in size and feature sacred charms like feathers and beads. Many dream catchers for sale today, however, are much more American than Native American, often oversized and made of cheap plastic materials. Many Native Americans still consider the dream catcher to be a symbol of unity and identification among the many Indian Nations and First Nations cultures. Still, many other Native Americans have come to see dream catchers as an symbol of cultural appropriation, over-commercialized and offensively misappropriated and misused by non-Natives.

What have we learned here? We've learned that dreams, no matter how small or insignificant, will most always mean something to you. We've learned that different cultures could lead you to different interpretations of your dreams. And we've also learned that your subconscious is what is really in control of your nightly images. If you're ready to dive into more of the meanings, I encourage you to visit one of these sites below that elaborate a little bit more on some of the typical dream "symbols".

http://www.dreamlookup.com/

https://www.dreamdictionary.org/

https://www.psychologistworld.com/dreams/dictionary/

http://dreamstop.com/what-do-dreams-mean/

So tell me about your dreams. What happened? What does it mean? Share in the comments below!

Top 10 Things That Are Addicting, and Guess What! They're Legal!!

We all feel like from time to time we become addicted to one thing or another. Whether its Facebook, chocolate, or whatever the biggest trend is right now, we let our minds take hold; letting us think that what we want, what we need is just one more of it. Well, if you can't say that you're addicted to at least one of these LEGAL fixations, I'll bet you that you're a liar!

Tattoos

The saying goes, "Tattoos are like potato chips ... you can't have just one."
Roughly 14 percent of Americans have a tattoo, according to a 2008 Harris Interactive poll. People often associate their tattoos with specific characteristics. For example, 36 percent of inked individuals say their body art makes them feel rebellious, 31 percent feel sexier and 19 percent feel attractive and strong.

Tattooing and other body modification such as piercing, branding and scarification, are ways for individuals to express themselves and display body art -- and many people report that the endorphins released during a tattoo session make up for any discomfort during the process.
However, when body modification turns to self-mutilation or self-injury, mental health professionals grow concerned. Cutting, for example, is a technique people with emotional problems use to control their emotional pain. Cutting and other self-injurious behaviors can be symptoms of mental illnesses including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Alcohol 

Alcoholism is the inability to control drinking due to both a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. Symptoms include repeated alcohol consumption despite related legal and health issues. Those with alcoholism may begin each day with a drink, feel guilty about their drinking, and have the desire to cut down on the amount of drinking.

Treatment involves counseling by a health care professional. A detoxification program in a hospital or medical facility is an option for those who need additional assistance. Medications are available that reduce the desire to drink.

Gambling / Lottery

The real pain of poker, the only chronic, threatening pain, comes from the daily loss of livelihood—how a player views himself in the face of losing. Pain tolerance, then, is not measured in how well the player can take a bad beat or how long he can sit at a table without questioning what the fuck has happened. Rather, it is how the player handles an inevitable losing streak and the extent to which he will allow losing to affect his idea of himself. After a month straight of losses, a player can become convinced that losing is his role. Going broke becomes his thing to do, his inevitable outcome. The fog of losing, which feels like a seething, dirty steam in the veins, seeps into everything.

That is the pain of poker that must be endured and held at arm’s length: the existential pain that causes you to turn your vision of doom into a fate-bound story, as tragic and merciless as fiction. The High Is Always the Pain and the Pain Is Always the High

Shopping 

Psychologists and economists around the world research compulsive buying disorder (CBD), looking for both a better understanding of why people overbuy and also effective ways to treat them. We do know that shopping addiction is fueled by a powerful cycle of emotions: It typically starts with a feeling of tension or arousal when thinking about going shopping. Next comes a strong urge to shop and buy and temporary feelings of relief during the act of buying. Once a purchase is made, feelings of guilt soon follow. As with other types of repetitive behavioral (or process) addictions, there are cravings — feelings so strong and exciting that they’re frequently uncontrollable — and the shopping addict will ignore the negative consequences that might come from buying, such as angering a spouse, bouncing a check, having a credit card declined or not having money for necessities. Simply put, someone who is a compulsive shopper becomes psychologically dependent on thoughts of shopping, the process of shopping and the euphoric (or trance-like) feeling that comes from buying.

Like all addicts, shopping addicts may try to hide their addiction, and if a loved one is addicted to shopping, they may try to hide it from you. If you hide credit card bills, shopping bags or receipts, you may be a shopaholic. In some cases, shopaholics may try to hide their addiction by lying about just one element of it. For instance, a person may admit they went shopping, but they may lie about how much they spent.

Some of the other emotional symptoms you may notice from a shopaholic include the following: spending more than they can afford, shopping as a reaction to feeling angry or depressed, shopping as a way to feel less guilty about a previous shopping spree, harming relationships due to spending or shopping too much, and/or losing control of the shopping behavior

Caffeine

This one has some truth to it, depending on what you mean by "addictive." Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system, and regular use of caffeine does cause mild physical dependence, but caffeine doesn't threaten your physical, social, or economic health the way addictive drugs do. Most adults in the U.S. use caffeine, whether in coffee, soda, energy drinks, or chocolate. Many are also familiar with the effects of suddenly drinking less coffee than usual: tiredness, headaches, insomnia, and other symptoms. And many people talk about being “addicted” to their morning coffee or energy drink! But is caffeine truly addictive?

It’s all about the dopamine. It is true that—like many drugs—caffeine enhances dopamine signaling in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that helps control movement, motivation, and emotions, so enhanced dopamine signaling makes a person feel more awake and alert. Because caffeine produces that alert feeling, it’s classified as a stimulant.

symptoms of a caffeine withdrawal may include: Headache, sleepiness, irritability, lethargy, constipation, depression, muscle pain/stiffness/cramping, lack of concentration, flu-like symptoms, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, Anxiety, brain fog, dizziness, or heart rhythm abnormalities.

Video Streaming

Binge-watching shows is here to stay, and Netflix, Hulu and other streaming television companies know it—that’s why they released entire seasons of original shows at once, banking that people like you and me will power through episode after episode. It got me thinking, though, what is it that makes us click the play button for the next episode, even if we don’t really have time for it? Why do we love Netflix so much? Cliffhangers activate stress. The formula for riveting television was figured out long, long ago. End each episode in a mini-cliffhanger, then end each season in a bigger one, and keep people watching. From the famous “Who shot J.R.?” to Claire walking out on President Frank Underwood at the end of the last season of House of Cards, shows know how to keep us hooked, but do they know they are eliciting a stress response from our bodies?

When faced with the acute stress of not knowing what is going to happen next, the body produces an excess of CRH, a hormone that mediates the release of other stress hormones in the body. This causes the body to remain alert (our fight or flight response), which can disrupt sleep. So, when you’re faced with that cliffhanger at midnight, you’re suddenly not so tired and you find yourself pushing through the next show.

Video Games

Could video game playing be an addiction? Yes, says the Center for On-line Addiction -- at least when it becomes excessive, the gamer is overwhelmed with thoughts of gaming while engaging in non-gaming activities, the gamer lies about time spent gaming and feels anxious or irritable when not gaming. These criteria are similar to the criteria for compulsive gambling.

Addicted gamers are typically male and most are under the age of 30. While the cause of gaming addiction is unclear, mental health professionals believe it may be similar to other impulse control disorders. The act of gaming elevates dopamine levels, a feel-good, mood altering chemical our brain produces. Gaming can also give a person who may have poor self-esteem or trouble socializing a way to escape daily life or even a way to cope with depression and anxiety symptoms. Also there's fatigue, migraines due to intense concentration or eye strain, carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the overuse of a controller or computer mouse, and possibly poor personal hygiene.

Tanning

The natural high you feel after a day at the beach could be addictive.
A study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and published in the August 2005 edition of the journal "Archives of Dermatology" found that more than 50 percent of beach lovers could be considered tanning addicts, and 26 percent of sun worshippers would qualify as having a substance-related disorder.

Tanning, whether at the beach or in a booth, is a high-risk activity because of its known link to skin cancers, yet some people can't give it up. When we're exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun (or a tanning bed), our bodies make endorphins -- endorphins boost our mood. Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that frequent tanners (people who tan eight to 15 times every month) experience physiological withdrawal symptoms when denied the mood-boosting chemicals produced during tanning. The withdrawal symptoms include dizziness and nausea, much like what a person undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal suffers. 

Most tanning locations have a 24 hour policy. Meaning you aren't allowed to tan more than 1 time in a 24 hour span. But people often abuse this by getting multiple tanning memberships with different shops and companies. Some of the most unwanted symptoms of a tanning addiction may include: 

fast aging, thickness of skin, wrinkles, vision problems, and the big C-word herself, Cancer. This sort of addiction can be deadly, so please, do yourself a favor and tan responsibly. 

Exercise

For many of us couch potatoes, an addiction to exercise may sound impossible. Thirty minutes a day, most days of the week is difficult enough. How can anyone fit in hours of exercise on a daily basis? Think about it -- why would it be called a runner's high if it didn't feel great? Compulsive exercisers make exercise their focus, to the detriment of their relationships, work (or school) and even their own health.

Compulsive exercise comes from a need for control and many who are addicted obsess over caloric intake or pounds lost. They may work out alone, work out with the same routine, work out for more than two hours every day, skip work to exercise or even exercise to the point of injury (and continue to work out despite their injury). Did You Know? It's estimated that 10 percent of high-performance runners as well as 10 percent of body builders have an addiction to exercise.

Exercise addiction can occur independently or in conjunction with another disorder. There are two types of exercise addiction: primary exercise addiction and secondary exercise addiction. In each case, exercise addiction develops differently. Primary exercise addiction occurs as a form of behavioral addiction, but these people do not have any other psychological or behavioral conditions—exercise addiction is the main problem. Primary exercise addiction is more common in males and usually develops in response to the pleasurable effects of endorphins that are released during and after exercise. This is how exercise makes the body produce its own high, which is what primary exercise addicts become addicted to.Secondary exercise addiction occurs in conjunction with another disorder, most commonly eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Secondary exercise addiction is more common in females and usually develops due to body image issues.

Sex

Sex addiction, also known as hyper sexual disorder, is characterized by persistent and escalating sexual thoughts and acts that have a negative impact on the individual's life. Sex addicts struggle to control or postpone sexual feelings and actions. Because most sex addicts fear being abandoned, they might stay in relationships that aren’t healthy, or they may jump from relationship to relationship. When alone, they might feel empty or incomplete. They might also sexualize feelings like guilt, loneliness or fear.The need for sex in ones life is more prominent in some than in others. To some, the sex drive is relatively subconscious, and the media repeatedly nudges this from afar with advertisements and products designed to stimulate. To others, sex is a compulsion to the point where their own self-esteem hangs upon it. Sexual addiction is not as uncommon as you might think. Addicts usually spend most of their social lives eyeing up potential partners in order to have sex; they are often cocky, brash, and think nothing of ‘making out’ with potential candidates wherever they go. They often treat their partners chauvinistically (i.e. without loyalty, consideration or respect), and think nothing of the ‘one night stand’. To these people, the idea of ‘getting a life’ is to get a sex life; and often their idea of a good night out basically involves manipulating their way back to the bedroom. Some teens develop a more benign form of sex addiction; sometimes called ‘sex adulation’; but usually grow out of it by their early to mid 20’s.

Additionally, sex addiction likely has a negative impact on several areas of one’s life. It can lead to:
A decline in personal relationships, social, and family engagement, decreased concentration and productivity at work, physical consequences like sexual dysfunction or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Other symptoms may include Compulsive self-stimulation (masturbation), multiple affairs, this includes extra marital affairs, multiple one-night stands, multiple sexual partners, persistent use of pornography, practicing unsafe sex, cyber sex, and even using prostitutes.

Some of these are a bit extreme, but legal they may be.

Guilty Pleasures, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

We all have a few things that come to mind when someone utters the words "Guilty Pleasures". For me, its listening to British people talk or cat videos. But what about some of the pleasures that aren't stereo-typically pleasurable? I mean, to be fair, this is all circumstantially individualized. It's different to each person. Don't you think there is a general consensus on some things? As if some things are all silently agreed upon to be good?  Here are a few that I've come up with.

THE GOOD

Everyone has that place they go online when boredom finally sets in. It can range anywhere from everyone's favorite Buzzfeed "Can We Guess Your Guilty Pleasure" list to Reddit's newest archive. One I personally tend to frequent is Craigslist Missed Connections. This is the place where people who think they have made a connection that went un-acknowledged can see if the end of the said connection can confirm nor deny the link. Though, most seem to be a bit unorthodox, the concept itself can be very romantic if you take the time to read any of them.

Another favorite is the infamous FMyLife. People will submit from all around the world their unfortunate stories that just make all of us shake our heads. Unfortunate as it is for some of these people, their turmoil does bring a bit of enlightenment to most people's lives knowing that whatever it was that was so bad didn't happen to them.

A couple new sites that I seem to spend A TON of time on lately are I Waste So Much Time and Sh*t Brix. Both of these cover similar fascinating things to keep anyone busy on the internet for hours on end. So many silly memes...So little time!  Lastly there's the very popular Chive. Keep Calm and Chive On. 'Nuff said.

*****

Some guilty pleasures (GP's) are for those outside of the cyber world. The sweet relaxation of a good pedicure, to the delectable ambiance of a good glass of wine in a bubble bath. These are the types of things that you don't necessarily do every day, but wouldn't be frowned upon if you did decide to do them daily. The things that give you that satisfaction that you can't get from any old day. It could be listening to soothing rain sounds from the outside storm; Snuggling up next to your honey and feeling their heartbeat. These little sanctuaries are enough to bring that sweet smile to your face and the warm fuzzy feeling inside that feeds into the happiness of your heart. 

What else gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside? For a lot of us, especially our chubby Americans (myself included), that luxury comes from our food GP's. Oh, don't try to deny it! We all have them, and anymore these days, there are so many delicious food opportunities that its hard to pinpoint just 1. Hell! It's hard to pinpoint even 5! But I'm going to try.  My personal Top 5 Food GP's:

1: French Fries - from literally anywhere
2: Pizza - Any kind, any toppings, any style
3: Literally anything with Egg on it.
4: French Toast - any time of day this would make me so happy!
5: Fried Cheese - cheese balls, mozzarella sticks, anything with that melty stringy cheese!! oooh!

Believe me, that was a lot harder than I thought it would be! There would be a much longer list, but this isn't just a list of good foods.

We even have a few secret GP movies that we almost always resort to. The type of movies that you know every line, every background song, every facial expression. What is yours?  Really, out of the millions of movies made, I encourage you to share it because I honestly haven't seen that many movies. Here a few that I've gathered from other discussions and also from my own experience.
With an attempt to find one of each genre, here goes.

Musical: Rocky Horror Picture Show
Fantasy: "The Wizard of Oz"
Comedy: "The Big Lebowski"
Drama: 'To Kill A Mockingbird"
Action: "Scarface"
Thriller: "The Labrynth"
Western: "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
Romantic Comedy: "When Harry Met Sally"
Family: "The Cat In the Hat"
Scyfy: "Star Wars" - any of them

I know that not everyone will agree on all of these, but I'll just hope you agree with maybe one of them. As I stated once before, GP's are a matter of opinion and everyone is allowed to have theirs. Seriously though, if you think you have better ones, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions.

*****

THE BAD 

We've ventured passed the good and into the bad. Of course, as anticipated, these are the more frowned upon GP's. These are the type of GP's that give you a little high whenever you experience them. A simple example of this is shoplifting. Knowing that you're doing something wrong that could, in turn, lead you down the wrong path, but as soon as you're in the clear, you have this sudden rush of adrenaline. I'm not going to say we've all done it, but I'll admit that I went through a few phases when I was young. Experiencing that high. The sweet satisfaction beyond what a simply foot massage can bring. Always slowly followed by the guilt. Not everyone can get by without having a conscience. 

Skipping ahead to a much more extreme version of a bad GP, also known as an addiction. Taking or smoking drugs can be the worse kind of GP. Not being personally experienced in the trade doesn't give me much to go on other than research, but I am familiar with the after effects of what they can do to a person, and their loved ones. Not necessarily a recommended GP, but one for some, nonetheless.

I think this last one also falls under the bad category for this list of GP's. For those nosey neighbors out there, I bet you have a good set of binoculars. Right? I mean, you would have to. This is considered a bad GP because this can fall right into what is known today as stalking. I don't know about you, but as a female, I don't particularly like it when people just watch me.

*****

THE UGLY

This is the category that I feel like everyone who is reading this has been anxious for. This isn't exactly the ugly by looks, but more the disgusting that makes it ugly, but I feel on some level, everyone will associate with at least one. Let's dive right in. 

We all have that one friend that gets that enjoyment out of popping pimples. Well, we probably have more than one friend. For my friends, I'm that friend. Something about squeezing out all the pussy grossness and giving the idea that your pores are now empty and free of all dirt buildup is just the satisfying thing that doesn't have to make sense.  Followed closely behind that comes picking your own boogers. Yes, I know how icky it sounds, but when you know you have a big gooey one stuck in there and you can get it all out in one quick swift pick with a Kleenex, your nose feels better, and that in itself is satisfying. Admit it or not, there are some of you out here. Girls with nose rings know exactly what I'm talking about. That buildup on a ring or stud can be the most annoying thing. 

What's next? Singing and dancing like no one is watching. It's wonderful in theory because it helps people let loose, but there are always those people that can't carry a tune in a bucket and couldn't find rhythm if it was sitting on their face. Just keep this GP to yourself...unless you're drunk. Then just let your moves and vocals fly! For everyone to see, and possibly giggle about, we revel in some of those GP's. Enjoy them, but don't get too carried away.

Lastly, is probably one of the most ugly on the last. Have you ever heard the phrase, "everybody likes their own brand?"  Do you actually know what it means? To put it bluntly, everyone likes what they do, what they create, what they build, what they have. For example, when someone farts, the surrounding people find it gross and often that it smells badly. When you fart, often times it won't be such a bad smell to you personally because its your own brand. I've grown to know people who have what I like to call a "farting sanctuary". This is a place that they find special, that they will use solely for farting. Not to imply that they won't do other things in this place, but that it is the primary place that they like to pass gas. I would share mine, but some of my friends read this and I'd hate for them to view me differently because of this sort of information. But trust me, when you find one, it will become one of your favorite places to be.

*****

Science Behind the GP

We usually think of guilt as a negative emotion. But we all have guilty pleasures like chocolate, alcohol and shopping sprees. Now, a new study has found the psychological mechanism behind the phenomenon of feelings of guilt can actually boost pleasure. Professor Ravi Dhar from Yale University was inspired to investigate the emotion after watching a colleague eat a chocolate bar, and expressing both enjoying and distaste at the same time. 'For certain types of items, when you feel guilty, you may actually get more pleasure,' Dhar says. According to Yale Insights, the idea that guilt and pleasure are often tightly coupled in people's minds, so activating one of these concepts can draw out the other. This connection could prove a powerful insight for marketers, says Dhar. For instance appealing to a negative attribute that is connected to positive feelings can be 'much more effective at persuading people than directly talking about positive attributes.'

The power of guilt can also be seen in charitable giving. In one study respondents were presented with the choice of giving $5 to a charity or using it for a Starbucks 'flat white' espresso drink. Both the likelihood and the amount of charitable donations increased compared to a second treatment group. They were asked to choose between a charitable donation and a $5 laundry detergent. 'When we compare this five dollars to something indulgent, like a cup of flat white in this case, people are more likely to donate,' says Dhar. Mentally contrasting a good cause with a guilty pleasure seems to prod people toward giving. We generally think that we're making choices for considered, rational reasons, he says, but in fact, 'the things you feel in the moment, or the things you think in the moment, have a disproportionate effect on your choices, even if they're irrelevant to the choice.' 

It is the news that will strike fear into the hearts of those who pay off the family credit cards every month. Research last year found that retail therapy - far from being empty and superficial - can be an ‘effective way to minimize sadness.’ It can even help a person feel more in control of their environment, researchers claim. Generations of consumers have been urged to satisfy their desire to keep abreast of the latest fashion by simply browsing in store and window shopping. But researchers from the University of Michigan claim ‘retail therapy’ should no longer be dismissed as it could help people  overcome melancholy. The study carried out three experiments to investigate whether shopping restored a sense of control in people to combat feelings of sadness. The research found that buying something was up to 40 times more effective at giving people a sense of control and they were three times happier than those who only browsed. Previous studies have shown that shoppers enjoy positive feelings when reflecting on their most recent purchase, when that shopping had been motivated by a desire to repair mood.

DailyMail.co.uk

More proof for the science behind GP's he also here.  I won't go into detail because it basically reiterates the above article. 

So what did we learn?  What you need to know is that GP's are there, and they aren't going anywhere. Agree or disagree, that's fine, I respect your opinion and whatever your GP is whether you can admit it publicly or not. 

Have a good day!

July 6 - What International Holiday is Today?

So, like many people in the world, I own a smart phone. And like many people, I download random apps out of pure boredom. A long time ago, I downloaded an app that was specific to the "not so traditional" national holidays. Believe me, I understand how silly that sounds, but isn't it fascinating!? Anyway, lets get to the real reason you're actually reading this article, shall we?

As you might have guessed, today is a very interesting day among all the random days.

INTERNATIONAL KISSING DAY

Ahhh, it's Kissing Day. The objective of this very special day, is to appreciate and enjoy a kiss. So, go ahead and swap some spit today. Pucker up and give out a big, juicy wet one to anyone and everyone. Kissing originated thousands, and perhaps millions, of years ago. It is believed to have originated from mouth to mouth feeding of parents to a child. My, it certainly has evolved over the centuries. But, why is that? The answer is simply because it makes us feel good.

There's all sorts of kisses, for all sorts of reasons. There's the peck on the cheek, the full on the mouth kiss, the French Kiss, (the favorite among lovers), and so many more. For example, have you heard of the common Eskimo kiss? It's when two noses rub up against each other and move back and forth by shaking of the head. It’s affectionate and often given from a parent to their child. The Eskimo Kiss is believed to be the romantic option for those who live in cold climates, otherwise there’s risk of lips getting stuck together. But its also a more socially acceptable way to be affectionate with your partner without making others feel uncomfortable. For silly people like myself, I enjoy this type of kiss solely for the ability to make my boyfriend laugh.

Another popular style is the butterfly kiss. There is a plethora of kisses that don't even require lip to lip contact. In this interactions, two people get so close to each others faces while they kiss that their eyelashes connect. This kind of kiss and it’s intimate gesture is for those madly infatuated or in love with each other.

What about the stereotypical Air Kiss? Air Kisses can be seen in old french movies in greetings. It’s done by giving out a “Mwaah” in the air beside someone’s cheek. Sometimes it’s done on both cheeks depending on what country you’re in. It’s popular among celebs and can also be seen within family and friends. It’s a non romantic, friendly gesture. You can also sometimes see it in some of the LGBT community, but not done by all.

***

Lets move past the PG rating and into more of a passionate area of expertise. In a seductive kiss, you an enter into an open mouth lip-lock that’s much like a subtle French kiss but with less tongue. This is a kiss to win someone’s heart and seduce them. It will make anyone’s knees weak. So girls watch out and boys practice up!

This is one that research has given me as new. The unheard of "lizard kiss" is where the tongue rapidly goes in and out of the mouth in quick strokes. It’s a passionate kiss for lovers that are hot and heavy into each other. Some would call this a bit aggressive, but often this is a style of kiss that isn't appropriate for brand new lovers, but rather the type of lovers with a good sense of humor.

Did You Know? People are not the only creatures to kiss. Apes, cats, dogs, and dolphins, are among the animals that share a kiss or two.


Did You Know? Okay, you may not want to know this juicy tidbit. Kissing can transmit 80 million microbes of bacteria.

Did You Know? The science of kissing is called philematology?

Did You Know? Kissing at the conclusion of a wedding ceremony can be traced to ancient Roman tradition where a kiss was used to sign a contract.

Did You Know? On July 16, 1439, King Henry VI banned kissing in England to prevent the spread of the plague.

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Kissing Breakdown! Kissing the Anatomy

Many intimate couples will often lay a kiss on different parts of the body, but did you ever wonder what each body part may mean? You could be sending the wrong message and not even know it!



Forehead Kiss- This kiss is known as the "motherly" kiss or "just friends" kiss but can be a comforting kiss for anyone. Simply brush your lips lightly across their forehead. A comforting kiss that means "I care about you" as a friend.

Eyelid Kiss- Softly kiss your partner's eyelids one at a time. This is a very erotic and arousing kiss. It can also be a very romantic way to wake up your partner. A soft, gentle kiss that means "I want to be with you"

Ear Kiss- While your kissing/or just sitting there with your partner lightly kiss your partners neck move up to his/her ear and lightly suck and lick his ear. DON'T stick your tongue in his ear as that's a big turn off. But keep it light and your partner wont keep their hands off of you.

Earlobe Kiss- Gently kiss and suck their earlobe. Avoid loud sucking noises as the sound will hurt their ears. A sensual kiss meaning "let's get closer".

Cheek Kiss- This kiss is often the preferred kiss for a first date or early on in a new relationship. With your hands on your partner's shoulders, gently brush your lips across their cheek. A friendly kiss saying, "I really like you".

Peck Kiss- Kiss your partner's lips quickly and lightly. This isn't a very intimate kiss, but does mean they're interested in you.

Nose Kiss- Lean forward slowly to their face and softly kiss your their nose. This is a good way to get your partner's attention and it always makes them smile! This kiss literally tells your partner that you want to get silly together.

Lip Nibble Kiss- This kiss can create a very erotic sensation. While kissing your partner, ever so gently nibble on their lips. You must be very careful not to bite too hard causing you to hurt your partner. When done correctly, this kiss ignites wonderful sensations. This gentle, but rough kiss lets your partner know that you're hungry for more!

Lip Tease Kiss- Lightly lick your partner's lips from the outside to the inside. They will react by opening their lips more so you can lick further inside. This kiss leaves a wonderful tingling sensation. A sexy kiss that shows you like to tease.

Jawline Kiss- Start by short kisses right below the jaw and work your way down to the collar bone. Next, blow a little air as you make your way back to the jaw.

Neck Lick Kiss- Slowly lick up the side of their neck to their ear and then follow your path back with gentle kisses giving your partner chills. You're in the mood for love with this sensual kiss.

Neck Nibble Kiss- Gently nibble up and down your partners neck. End with a gentle kiss on the lips.

Shoulder Kiss- This can be a test to see if you are interested in having sex. If you softly moan, lean your head to the side exposing your neck, or lean back against the person kissing your shoulder then it should give the hint that you want to do more.

Collarbone Kiss- Begin kissing your partner's neck, all the way up by the ear, then slowly work your way down their neck to their collarbone. This is very sensual and arousing.

Hand Kiss- Gently raise their hand to your lips and lightly brush your lips across the top of it. Historically, this kiss was performed with a bow to show deference to a lady. A gentle kiss on the hand generally means "I adore you", but also is a sign of respect and kindness.

Fingertip Kiss- While kissing, as he raises his hands to your face, take them, hold them, and slowly ease away from his mouth. Gently kiss and or suck each finger. This feels great and it is very fun to watch.

Belly Kiss- Get down on one knee. Softly lift your partner's shirt revealing a little bit of their belly. Then kiss what is revealed. This kiss can lead to much more. A fun, yet sweet way to see if your partner wants to get more intimate.

Belly Button Kiss- Lightly kiss and blow on their belly button. It should give her the shivers and make her giggle.

Australian Kiss- This kiss is like a French kiss, but down under. Your partner is totally focused on pleasuring you.

Foot Kiss- This can be an erotic and romantic gesture. It may tickle but relax and enjoy it! Gently suck on their toes and then lightly kiss their foot. Massaging the base of their foot at the same time can add a lot to this kiss. A kiss that means you're not afraid to try new things.

Most all kisses will express some sort of love or intimacy between loved ones or partners. If you can't tell so far. Here are a few more!

Did You Know? Diseases that can be transmitted through kissing include Mononucleosis ("kissing disease") and Herpes. Contraction of HIV through kissing is extremely unlikely, though one woman was infected in 1997 when a woman and infected man both had gum disease. Transmission was likely through the man's blood and not his saliva.

Did You Know? A medieval manuscript warns Japanese men against deep kissing during the female orgasm because a woman might accidentally bite off part of her lover's tongue.

Did You Know? "X"'s at the end of a correspondence letter represent the contact of the lips during a kiss.

Did You Know? Our brains have special neurons that help us find each other's lips in the dark.

Did You Know? Lips are like snowflakes or human fingerprints. No two lips impressions are the same.




We may think a passionate kiss is a universal pleasure, but in some cultures, kissing doesn't take place at all.  According to a new research, less than half of all societies use kissing to express sexual desire – and some even find the act repulsive. The study found that out of 168 cultures from around the world, only 46 per cent of them kiss in the romantic sense. 

For instance, data suggests 15 cultures out of 33 studied in North America where kissing is not present. Romantic kissing takes place in all Middle Eastern countries studies, but in Europe, three out of the 10 countries in the survey found kissing in a romantic scenario to be unacceptable. In Asia, 27%, or 10 out of 27 countries, didn't kiss romantically. The new study, which appears in an article in American Anthropologist, focused on romantic kisses between couples.

***

Even though I believe you can get over most things in terms of sexual compatibility, it can be really difficult to overcome what a massive turnoff bad kissing is. And I think part of that reason is that when you think about it, kissing is gross— especially when you get tongues involved. Yes, French kissing is sexy and intimate and can be such a turn on when done correctly. It's often the bridge between innocent pecks and proper "let's get this thing going" pre-sex making out. But it's also gross. And if you're not that into kissing this person, the grossness becomes more apparent.

The grossness is no one's fault. Once you add tongues into the mix, you're suddenly dealing with fluids and body parts that have an inherent ick factor to them. And sometimes it's gross because the person just doesn't know what they're doing and makes gross things happen. Either way, yuck.

Now don't get me wrong, Frenching is still totally worth it. In my opinion the hotness it brings definitely outweighs the spit and the bacteria and all of that. Especially when you like the person a lot. It's one of those things— like a lot of sex— that is amazing in the moment, but when you actually pull back and think about you realize is objectively pretty nasty. Oh well, thank god being turned on makes it more difficult to be grossed out, because I'm definitely not going to stop with the tongues anytime soon. Here are seven gross things that happen when you kiss with tongue, because breakfast in bed is great until you find a hunk of toast in their mouth:

1: Bacteria Galore - It's probably no surprise to you, but French kissing is basically a bacteria orgy in your mouth. In just 10 seconds of kissing there are about 80 million bacteria being swapped around there. It's pretty gross, but the lucky part is that the vast majority of these are harmless, so there's no need to panic.

2: Darts and Dead Fish - A lot of people don't like French kissing and I think that it's because quite a few people out there are bad at it. There are people that dart their tongue around your mouth in a really aggressive way, and even grosser there are those people who just leave their tongue chilling in your mouth like a dead fish. Yuck.

3: Hair Mouth - If you're kissing with your mouth closed, you're probably not going to notice if there's a bit of hair in the vicinity. Kissing with tongue is basically asking to choke on a hair. Or if you're two girl who both of a lot of hair, too much Frenching means one of you is going to cough up a hairball at some point. Gah.

4: You Taste (or Feel) Their Last Meal - French kissing is all sweet and intimate until you realize how much you're actually exploring back there with your tongue. We've all gone in for the kiss and found a taste we weren't exactly hoping for. And if breakfast in bed leads to kissing in bed there's a good chance you'll find a little crumb of toast in your oral expedition. Gross.


5: The Saliva High-Wire - Yeah, there's a little spit when it comes to any kissing, but once your tongues are moving into each other's mouths there's a whole lot of spit being transferred. If that isn't enough, there's the great moment when you pull away and a little line of saliva is still running between your two mouths. Who's saliva is it? What do you do with it? How do you make eye contact now? Questions we will never answer.

6: Morning Breath Transfer - Horrible morning breath. We all get it. There is no hope for it. You can brush your teeth and wash out your mouth with grain alcohol, kill every little thing that's in there, but sometimes over night things come back with a vengeance. A few polite pecks when you wake up and you probably can hide the damage, but as things heat up the morning breath will be revealed.


7: Hormone Swap - I saved the best for last because this is gross but also kind of awesome. So apparently scientists think men might like shoving their tongues into women's mouths because unconsciously they're trying to transfer the testosterone in their saliva that increases sex drive.According to Rutgers University anthropologist Helen Fisher: "There is evidence that men like sloppier kisses with more open mouth. That suggests they are unconsciously trying to transfer testosterone to stimulate sex drive in women."

***

Now this is the biggest question of them all.  How do you know if you're a good kisser or a bad kisser? Well, the only real way to know is to be told by someone who has experienced your kisses. Ask yourself: Has anyone ever told you that you're a good kisser? That doesn't automatically imply that if no one has that you're terrible at tonsil hockey. But there isn't any shame in asking. I mean, if you're too sensitive for the answer, then maybe you should just get a make-out buddy to help grow your skills. But if you're also a little too embarrassed for that, here are a couple links where you can go to learn a few tips if non of the ones you've read here have been helpful at all.

Women's Health describes in an article, Makout Session 101, "Kissing evolved as a way to assess a potential partner's compatibility because it exchanges a host of information about health and hormonal status," says Gordon Gallup, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of Albany.  What does this mean to you? Well, I perceive that as saying your skills will attract someone of the same skill level.  But how important is that in your selected mate?

Men's Health also printed an article on How to be a better kisser. This article describes how, Whether it’s your first kiss or your fiftieth, “women, more so than men, use kissing as an assessment device,” says Susan M. Hughes, Ph.D. “Men, however, would forgo kissing as long as they can have sex.”  

It seems rather unanimous between genders that regardless of your skill level, you'll be judged on it and if you can find a mate that levels you out, you're golden.

So get out there, Pucker up, and law a big wet one on the one you care about!