National Geographic | Mind, Body, Wonder

This Valentine’s week, we delve into the biology of love and heartbreak , explore the daring science of touch, and relax at wellness oases. Learn how menstrual cycles can reshape the brain—and answer the question: Can your tongue reveal your true age?

A couple, who have been married for 72 years, holds hands and kiss in Costa Rica, 2017.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHIEU PALEY, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

The seven love hormones

What brings us love—and heartbreak? In platonic or romantic love, there’s no getting around the body’s need for human-to-human interaction. We’re wired for love. Here’s how our body gets the message.

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Why we like what we like: A scientist’s surprising findings

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Why love and touch were once considered dangerous

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Where people can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day

Hands move across an experimental camera-computer combo that “feels” their touch by converting their shadows into information

VIDEO BY LYNN JOHNSON

The audacious science pushing the boundaries of human touch

‘Like adolescents at a first dance.’ It’s the first sensation we feel—our most primal connection to others. Can implants and electrical signaling replicate the experience of touch? Research teams are exploring the possibilities—with startling results.

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The blind can now ‘see’ priceless artwork by touch

A grid of images based on the first column of a generic face, a fundoscopic view of a retina, and a photo of a tongue; the proceeding columns show map key areas for identifying age

IMAGE BY JINZHUO WANG, ET AL., 2024

What’s your ‘real’ age?

Stick your tongue out. Seriously. Tongue checks are among new methods used to determine your true age—not the one on your driver’s license. That information can help gauge your risk of developing chronic diseases. (Above, a grid of images including a face, a retina, a tongue, and key areas for identifying age.)

HOW CAN THEY TELL?

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How old are you? The true age is written on your face.

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Dry winter skin? These 4 natural ingredients can help.

A hand demonstrating hyper-mobility of the thumb, which is able to bend back to almost touch its own arm

PHOTOGRAPH BY LIA, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Is this disease really rare?

Or just misdiagnosed? Ehlers-Danlos is a notoriously difficult genetic disorder to diagnose—which is why it is growing watchword among a community of patients. What is behind the wide range of syndromes and why is this genetic disorder so difficult to diagnose and treat?

Colored coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain of a healthy, premenopausal 32-year-old woman.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DR P. MARAZZI, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

The menstrual cycle can reshape your brain

Studies show that the volume or thickness of certain brain regions expand during monthly periods—but they don’t reveal whether that’s connected to emotional fluctuations. How can hormones alter some areas of the brain?

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What happens during menopause? Science is finally piecing it together.

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Is it possible to control hot flashes? We may be getting closer.

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Toxic love: Breaking off a relationship with sugar

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