Disclaimer; I am in fact a scientist, and we are not traditionally known for our smooth social skills.
One of the most important factors to bear in mind whilst searching for your V-day date is keeping it cool. Nobody wants to go out with a nervous babbling stress ball. Also, clean up your breath. Hot, stinky, nasty breath is just one word: unacceptable. Uh uh. I may not know from personal experience, but statistically 9 out of 10 propositions fail when stank breath is involved‡.
Good news though. There is one solution to both of these dating no-no’s. Chew a piece of sugar-free peppermint gum or pop a little mint into your mouth. The minty flavor will freshen your breath and cool you down, or at least trick your nerve cells into thinking they are cooler.
One of the dominant flavor compounds in mint, methyl salicylate, interacts with specialized nerve cells that sense temperature. This minty flavor molecule triggers nerve cells to send the “I’m cool” signal to your brain, although there is no actual temperature change. Convenient, as prior to making your move, your brain could use all the false cool hopes it can get.
Follow my advice and I guarantee that sparks will be flying. If not with your new sweetheart, your mint candy can substitute for this phenomenon. The mint flavor compound menthanol has the ability to fluoresce, which accentuates normal static sparks so that they become visible. Chomp down on a mint Lifesaver in the dark with your valentine and watch the sparks fly.
‡Editor’s note: This statistic was made up by Laura, and although believable, is not based in scientific fact. But take care of that stank breath anyway. Your date will thank you.
A pair of hearts… by Nanimo.
