There's nothing like a romantic kiss. It is the climax of every great love story and an experience that has motivated poets and musicians for thousands of years. It's also a wonderful example of a behavior that is both nature and nurture. Humans have an instinctive drive to connect through kissing, but the style and expression is shaped by our culture and personal experiences.
Beneath the surface, a kiss serves as the ultimate litmus test for a relationship. It can urge us to pursue a deeper connection with someone special or act as a warning to back off when something just doesn't feel right. Science is finally beginning to unravel the mystery of how this happens.
While we don't often think of them in this way, human lips are the body's most exposed erogenous zone. Packed with sensitive nerve endings, even a light brush sends a cascade of information to our brains helping us to decide whether we want to continue and what might happen next.
Lip contact involves five of our 12 cranial nerves as we engage all of our senses to learn more about a partner. Electric impulses bounce between the brain, lips, tongue and skin, which can lead to the feeling of being on a natural "high" because of a potent cocktail of chemical messengers involved.
A passionate kiss acts like a drug, causing us to crave the other person thanks to a neurotransmitter called dopamine. This is the same substance involved in taking illegal substances such as cocaine, which is why the novelty of a new romance can feel so addictive. Dopamine is involved in sensations of reward, making us feel intense desire that can lead to feelings of euphoria, insomnia, and loss of appetite, and it is only one actor in the great chemical ballet happening in our bodies.
And then there are physical changes. A kiss can cause our blood vessels to dilate, our pulse to quicken and cheeks to flush. Our pupils grow wide, which is likely one reason that so many of us are apt to close our eyes. In other words, the body's response mirrors many of the same symptoms frequently associated with falling in love.
But let's be honest; not every kiss leaves us wanting more.
Evolutionary psychologists at The State University of New York at Albany recently reported that 59% of men and 66% of women say that they have ended a budding relationship because of a bad kiss. How is it that such a seemingly simple exchange has the power to influence attraction dramatically?
We can readily describe sensations of butterflies in the stomach or feeling weak in the knees when things go well, but we are less aware of the ways that kissing helps us to make a reliable assessment of another person. An often-overlooked organ that's intimately involved in the experience is the nose.
Beyond obvious mood spoilers such as poor hygiene and bad breath, we each have a distinct natural scent that appears to guide us toward choosing a partner with compatible DNA. Scientists have found that women prefer the scents of men with a complementary set of genes that code for the immune system. The benefit may be that if children come along down the line, they would be well-equipped to ward off disease.
Of course, some people worry about the way that a kiss also puts us in very close proximity to another person's germs. But in reality, we're more likely to get sick by shaking hands throughout the day than by kissing.
It's necessary to include one important caveat: There seems to be a rise in the number of young people biting each other to express affection.
This may be due, in part, to vampires in Hollywood making the exchange look extremely good on the big screen. However, biting your loved ones is the least appropriate way to show you care because injecting potentially dangerous viruses and bacteria directly into someone's blood stream can be deadly.
Blood-sucking aside, kissing allows us to cross normal social boundaries and get close enough for a reliable sample of scent, taste and possibly pheromones providing insight into long-term compatibility. In other words, there's more to a kiss than meets the lips.
We may not be actively aware of all of the significant ways our bodies respond, but kisses are powerful clues to evaluate when to pursue a relationship and when to move on. Fortunately, understanding the real chemistry involved doesn't take any of the magic out of the moment, but it might boost the odds of leaving a lasting impression.
Sheril Kirshenbaum is the author of "The Science of Kissing" and a research scientist at The University of Texas at Austin. She spoke last year at the TED Global conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.
We recommend that you come in for a tour of the facilities before anything else,
so please contact us to arrange a viewing.
To apply for membership
your application should be proposed by a member of the club. If you do not know a current member,
please contact us to arrange a meeting.
Upcoming Changes: Membership Subscriptions & Club Usage
With general shifts and trends in mind alongside listening closely to your needs we have decided to review our terms of membership and would like to notify you of a few significant changes that will hopefully meet the priorities of existing and new members.
uTest provides testing in the wild for Web, Mobile and Desktop apps. A global, crowd sourced approach to improve quality and ensure a superior user experience. Special discounts offered to 1AP Members
Aaron Eckhart stars in director Philipp Stolzl's suspenseful action thriller, "Erased," playing former CIA agent Ben Logan who moves to Belgium with his estranged 15-year-old daughter, Amy (Liana Liberato), to start a new life working as a high-tech security consultant for a multinational corporation in Brussels.
Suddenly Logan and Amy are propelled into an all-out, frenzied run for their lives after they discover they are targets of a wide-ranging international conspiracy.
Helicopter problems 'delayed rescue'
Four RAF rescue helicopters were out of service when a cargo ship ran aground off the coast of north Wales, an accident report finds.
Record closing high for US shares
Shares on Wall Street picked up on Tuesday to a new all-time high as investors bet that the US central bank would continue supporting the economy.
US tax officials deny foul play
US tax officials tell a congressional hearing they did not know their agency had targeted conservative groups.
Key pair barred from Iran election
Two prominent figures in Iran, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, are barred from standing in next month's presidential election.
Nigeria to free 'terror' women
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan orders the release of all women held over "terrorist activity" - a Boko Haram condition for holding peace talks.
Deadly virus kills Tunisian man
A man has died of the novel coronavirus (NCoV) in Tunisia, in what is believed to be the first such case in Africa.
N Korea leader sends envoy to China
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a special envoy to Beijing, state media announces, amid cooling relations after weeks of tension.
IPL cricketer denies spot-fixing
Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth, arrested last week over allegations of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League, insists he is innocent.
Notre-Dame suicide a 'political act'
France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen pays tribute to the man who killed himself in the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, saying it was a "political act".
Tax and energy to dominate EU summit
EU leaders will seek to curb tax evasion, which costs EU states 1tn euros a year, and bring down energy prices to boost competition.
Rios Montt's conviction annulled
Guatemala's top court throws out the genocide conviction of ex-leader Efrain Rios, whose trial will now be restarted from the middle of proceedings.
Bolivia law backs Morales third term
Bolivia passes a law which could allow President Evo Morales to be elected for a third time, despite claims that it is unconstitutional.
AUDIO: Ray Manzarek 'a stellar musician'
Former Rolling Stone editor Ben Fong-Torres pays tribute to his friend, The Doors keyboardist, Ray Manzarek, who has died aged 74 after a long battle with cancer.
VIDEO: UK inflation rate drops to 2.4%
The UK's inflation rate fell to 2.4% in April, according to the Office for National Statistics, down from 2.8% in March.
VIDEO: All mod cons in Ghana's building boom
Ghana's fast growing economy is experiencing a building boom - the BBC's George Alagiah takes a tour of a new luxury apartment in Accra.
Bone in April case 'from skull'
Bone fragments found in the fireplace of the man accused of the murder of five-year-old April Jones were from a human skull, a jury is told.
US tornado rescue effort nears end
The rescue effort after the Oklahoma twister that killed 24 people nears an end, as it emerges the storm was more powerful than thought.
Bowie bassist Bolder dies aged 62
Trevor Bolder, the bassist in David Bowie's legendary 1970s backing band Spiders From Mars, has died from cancer at the age of 62.
'Mr Blobby' house painted in prank
A couple return from honeymoon to find their Essex home "glowing" with a spotty pink Mr Blobby-style makeover.
Gandhi's will and sandals auctioned
Mahatma Gandhi's last will and testament sells for more than £50,000 as dozens of Gandhi memorabilia is sold at auction.
Apple's Tim Cook defends tax claim
Apple boss Tim Cook defends its tax strategy at a Senate hearing, after the tech giant is accused of being among America's largest tax avoiders.
Microsoft unveils Xbox One console
Microsoft unveils the third generation of its video games console in an event at its headquarters at Redmond, Washington.
Commons votes to back gay marriage
The House of Commons votes to allow gay marriage in England and Wales, despite 161 MPs opposing the government's plans.
Driver held over Commons 'breach'
A woman is detained by police after attempting to drive through the main gates of the House of Commons.
HMRC to miss tax credit fraud target
The UK tax authority's failure to hit a target of reducing tax credit fraud and error has "cost the taxpayer dear", a committee of MPs says.
2013 cold start may mean fruit boom
UK fruit growers could enjoy a much better harvest of apples and pears this year, following the dismal crop in 2012, experts believe.
Afghan interpreters to get UK visas
Up to 600 Afghan interpreters who worked alongside British troops are set to be given the right to live in the UK, under government plans.
10% of UK wildlife 'endangered'
A "stocktake" of UK nature suggests 60% of animal and plant species have declined in the past 50 years - and one in 10 could end up disappearing.
Clegg 'won't pull plug' on coalition
Nick Clegg insists the Liberal Democrats will not "pull the plug" on the coalition government ahead of the next general election.
Murray withdraws from French Open
Andy Murray withdraws from the French Open because of the back injury that forced him out of the Italian Open.
Cameron to warn EU summit over tax
David Cameron is to urge EU leaders to back action against the tax evasion and "aggressive" tax avoidance he says is costing all nations.
US immigration bill passes hurdle
A sweeping immigration bill that would offer a chance of citizenship to millions living in the US illegally takes a stride forward in Congress.
Fifty-five beaches meet new rules
Fifty five beaches in England meet tough new EU standards on water quality to achieve Blue Flag awards.
Iodine deficiency 'may lower IQs'
Mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy could be dimming the intellect of some babies born in the UK, say researchers who studied 1,000 families.
East End music free school approved
A music school for deprived teenagers in east London and two schools for autistic children are among the latest wave of free schools to be approved.
UK shared exam system faces break up
The shared A-level and GCSE system for England, Wales and Northern Ireland should no longer be continued, says Education Secretary Michael Gove.
Manager Pulis leaves Stoke City
Manager Tony Pulis leaves Stoke City by mutual consent following talks with chairman Peter Coates on Tuesday.
Harrison makes U-turn on retirement
Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison reverses his decision to retire from boxing three weeks after quitting the sport.
Food hygiene 'a postcode lottery'
Food outlets in a part of London have the worst hygiene standards of more than 2,000 postcodes in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, an investigation finds.
Electricity bills to increase by 18%
Power NI announces that electricity bills for households and small businesses are to increase by 18% from July.
West Ham agree £15m Carroll fee
West Ham agree a £15m fee with Liverpool for England striker Andy Carroll but the player has yet to decide on the move.
Woods and Garcia refuse to end spat
The relationship between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia remains tense as both players refuse to end their spat.
Flickr revamp revealed by Yahoo
Yahoo revamps its Flickr photo-sharing service, offering users up to 1TB of storage if they accept adverts.
Pirate movie sites blocked in UK
Big UK net firms have begun blocking access to two movie streaming sites accused of flouting copyright laws.
Ant abilities could aid robot design
A study showing how ants tunnel their way through confined spaces could aid the design of search and rescue robots, say scientists.
Vaccine developed for farm disease
A vaccine to protect sheep and cattle from a livestock virus spread by midges has been approved by government vets.
Eric and Ernie's writer Braben dies
Eddie Braben, the writer credited with contributing to the huge success of comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, dies aged 82.
Tearful Douglas hails Liberace role
Film star Michael Douglas breaks down in tears at a press conference in Cannes while discussing his role as flamboyant pianist Liberace.
The rise of food swapping
The food swapping movement is taking off the UK with anything from sushi to strawberries on offer.
