There are certain things in life that we don't question too much.

Like kissing, for example. 

Snogging, making out, even just a peck... but why? Why is swapping saliva something all human societies have normalised?

So where did it originate? 

Well, it turns out kissing isn't just a human thing: all sorts of species appear to kiss, and new research now suggests Neanderthals did it too, possibly even with modern humans.

In this special episode of the hack summer podcast, Dave Marchese unpacks the potential origins and purpose of kissing with University of Oxford evolutionary biologist Dr Matilda Brindle, as well as why we masturbate.

Guest: 

• Dr Matilda Brindle, University of Oxford, evolutionary biologist

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