Can Depression Be Transmitted Through Kissing? Study Explores Oral Microbiota’s Role in Mental Health
A collaborative study by researchers from India, Iran, Italy, and the United Kingdom suggests that oral microbiota may influence the transmission of anxiety and depression symptoms between partners. Published in Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine, the research points to a connection between oral bacteria and changes in psychological well-being.
The study followed 1,740 newlywed couples for six months. In one group, one partner exhibited signs of psychoemotional distress, while in the control group, both partners reported no such issues. After six months, some initially healthy partners in the first group developed symptoms like anxiety, sleep disturbances, and elevated stress levels.
Analysis revealed that these partners’ oral microbiota had shifted, becoming more similar to that of their partners with depressive symptoms. The researchers identified specific bacteria—Clostridia, Veillonella, Bacillus, and Lachnospiraceae—as potentially linked to these changes. These microbes may influence brain function and behavior by disrupting protective mechanisms.
The researchers emphasize that kissing and close contact are not inherently harmful. Instead, their findings underscore the microbiome’s role in mental health, revealing how partners may share not just lifestyles but also biochemical factors that affect well-being.
