The Secret Science Of Locking Lips

A kiss is a whole lot more than touching lips.

So says Sheril Kirshenbaum, in her new book The Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us. Kissing, properly known as "osculation," is far more than a show of affection - it is a way of judging compatibility between partners and determining the likelihood that their relationship will last.

Here are 10 nuggets of kissing wisdom Kirshenbaum offers her readers:

1. Red is ravishing. Playing up your natural assets is the key to developing an effective beauty regime. In studies, red is consistently rated the most appealing color of lipstick.
2. Kissing has a long and glorious history. According to Kirshenbaum, the earliest literary evidence for kissing appears 3,500 years ago, in India's Vedic Sanskrit text.
3. Humans aren't the only creatures who love locking lips. Other social animals smooch or engage in behaviors that approximate kissing. Bonobos, a type of Chimpanzee very closely related to humans, have been known to kiss for 12 continuous minutes, while giraffes show affection by entwining necks.
4. A good kiss goes far beyond simple chemistry. While basic attraction is important, Kirshenbaum believes that it's ambiance and emotional connection that really make a kiss spectacular.
5. You'll never forget how to ride a bike, and you'll never forget your first kiss. Researchers at Butler University found that your first kiss is unforgettable - even more so than losing your virginity. The explanation for this phenomenon is unclear, but Kirshenbaum theorizes that a person's first kiss is an exceptionally strong memory because it is his or her introduction to sexual behavior.
6. The nose knows. Humans subconsciously determine compatibility based on a partner's natural scent, which is easily analyzed during a kiss. On a superficial level, Kirshenbaum notes, basic hygiene is an important indicator of whether or not a relationship is worth pursuing. Beyond that, scent appears to have a direct connection to the details of someone's genetic makeup.
7. Humans are hardwired to enjoy stimulation on their lips. Scientists have found that a disproportionate amount of space is dedicated to processing information from the lips in the human brain, so the smallest sensation can create a huge splash.
8. Kissing can be addictive. Significant amounts of dopamine, a feel-good reward chemical involved in addiction, are released in the brain when we smooch. As the novelty of a new relationship wears off, and with it our initial obsession with our partners, the levels of dopamine in our brains also decreases.
9. First impressions count. According to a S.U.N.Y. Albany study, 59% of men and 66% of women claimed that they ended a relationship because the first kiss didn't measure up.
10. Kissing is a key ingredient in a lasting relationship. Kissing may reduce stress by decreasing the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. Locking lips also releases oxytocin, which helps us bond with new partners and stay attached to long-term loves.

When Cher sang "It's in his kiss," she was onto a whole lot more than a catchy pop song.