Researchers Say Kissing Can Transmit Depression and Anxiety

Psychotherapists and mental health researchers have long known that mental health conditions can affect not just individuals, but entire families and close social circles. The emotional ripple effects of depression or anxiety can be profound, often influencing the moods, behaviors, and even physical health of those around the affected person. What this new research suggests is that some of these ripple effects might not just be emotional—they could be biological, driven by microbes and hormones exchanged during close physical contact.