Brie and Nikki Discuss Kissing and Muscle Memory
This conversation, captured in a transcript, features Brie and Nikki discussing the ease-or potential difficulty-of kissing after a period of abstinence. They reminisce about past experiences and explore the idea of “muscle memory” when it comes to physical intimacy.
The exchange begins with brie affirming Nikki’s capabilities: “Yeah,you do. your good.”
Nikki expresses some self-doubt, stating, “Well, I hope. I’m about to just make out with my pillow to make sure I still got it.” This suggests a concern about whether her kissing skills remain intact.
Brie responds with a shared memory, “That’s so weird. We did that in middle school.” This establishes a history between the two, indicating a long-standing friendship and shared experiences.
Nikki acknowledges the similarity, saying, “Okay, well, I’m back there.”
Brie than offers reassurance, explaining, “You can kiss. it’s natural. Your mouth and brain, it all remembers.” This highlights the concept of procedural memory – the brain’s ability to retain skills and habits even without conscious recollection.
Nikki simply responds,”Okay.”
brie concludes with a common analogy, “It’s like riding a bike.” This reinforces the idea that some skills, like kissing, are ingrained and easily relearned.
The Science of Kissing and Memory
While the conversation is lighthearted, it alludes to a fascinating area of neuroscience. Kissing isn’t just a romantic act; it’s a complex sensory experience. It involves:
- Tactile sensation: Lips are densely packed with nerve endings.
- Olfactory cues: We subconsciously detect pheromones and other scents.
- Visual cues: Attractiveness plays a role.
- Emotional response: Kissing triggers the release of dopamine and oxytocin, neurochemicals associated with pleasure and bonding.
Because of this multi-sensory input, kissing creates strong memories. The brain encodes the experience, and subsequent kisses can trigger those memories, making the act feel familiar and natural, even after a long break. This is why the “riding a bike” analogy resonates – both activities rely on procedural memory.
