Published Jun 08, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 10\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.<\/p>\n It\u2019s no kiss of death, but a new study out of Iran suggests that depression and anxiety might also be transmissible through kissing.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n In the same way that such close contact can transmit infections like the common cold, mononucleaosis and herpes, so too can depression and anxiety be transmitted.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The study says the depression and anxiety can trigger the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in the mouth.<\/p>\n Research found that as many as 80 million bacteria are transferred in just one 10-second kiss.<\/p>\n The new study found that when one spouse had poor mental health and trouble sleeping, the healthy partner suffered similar symptoms after just six months. Bacteria were to blame.<\/p>\n \u201cSpecifically, in couples where one partner had (depression\/anxiety), the oral microbiota of the healthy spouse mirrored that of the affected partner,\u201d the researchers wrote in the Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine journal, per the New York Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The research team followed 268 newlywed Iranian couples. One set of honeymooners reported struggling with depression, anxiety and sleep issues while their spouses were healthy at the start of the study.<\/p>\n Participants filled in surveys about their mental health and gave saliva samples for cortisol measurement and oral bacteria swabs for DNA analysis.<\/p>\n Researchers found that the healthy spouses, particularly women, had significant increases in depression, anxiety and sleep problems after six months. These symptoms weren\u2019t as intense as their partners\u2019.<\/p>\n Bacteria types including Clostridia, Veillonella, Bacillus and Lachnospiraceae were relatively abundant in the samples. Some species of these bacteria may be harmful to health.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Leaked medical report states controversial Olympic boxer has ‘male’ chromosomes<\/p>\n <\/a><\/li>\n Study explores ties between BMI at young age, colorectal cancer<\/p>\n <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n The researchers said there were several limitations to the study, including not taking into account underlying health issues and dietary factors that might influence oral bacteria.<\/p>\n They suggested exploring whether bacteria play a role in other mental and brain-related conditions.<\/p>\n Studies have identified other ways couples can be in sync, including heart rates, sleep patterns and even their stress and reproductive hormones.<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1855053287-e1749402540268.jpg\")
A new study out of Iran suggests that depression and anxiety might also be transmissible through kissing. Photo by iStock \/GETTY IMAGESArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1749442090_231_logo-identity-tsun.svg.svg+xml\"){kind=logo}
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