Does marriage at first sight really work? As the new season of MAFS UK kicks off, scientists reveal how long it really takes to find the one

Britain’s iconic Married At First Sight (MAFS) returned to our screens this week, with a handful of new singletons looking for ‘The One’.

As usual, strangers met for the first time at the altar before plunging into a simulation of married life.

After six weeks, couples will decide if it’s truly an “I do” or an “I don’t” by confirming whether they want to stay together after the show.

But the new season got us thinking: how effective is MAFS, and does The One really exist?

MailOnline spoke to two psychologists to find out whether dreams of love at first sight are really possible or just fairytale ideals.

Does ‘The One’ really exist?

It’s no secret that marrying a handsome prince is a major plot point of countless fairy tales.

Although idealistic, Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley told MailOnline that finding your own soulmate or ‘The One’ might not only be possible for the MAFS participants, but for the rest of us too.

“Whether or not ‘The One’ exists is a personal belief, and it can vary greatly from person to person,” she said.

‘Ultimately, the pursuit of a fulfilling and lasting relationship should be based on individual values, needs and experiences, rather than a rigid adherence to a romantic ideal.

‘It is important to recognize that media, including romance films and novels, often present idealized and romanticized versions of love and relationships.’

Dr. Goddard-Crawley maintains that robust relationships are centered around four key components, including compatibility, effort, shared values, and communication.

MAFS match Jay Howard and Luke Morley also gave us hope this week as the giddy couple jetted off to Grenada.

She added: ‘Discovering a partner with whom you share compatibility and furthering the relationship together takes precedence over the idea of ​​finding ‘The One.’

Arthur Poremba made Laura Vaughan (pictured) and her friends cringe when he told her he loved her at the end of his vows, despite meeting Laura just minutes earlier

Dr. Gurpreet Kaur agreed, adding, “All this will be influenced by cultural, social, religious, spiritual and economic factors.

“Perhaps the idea of ​​’The One’ is only as important as one’s personal connection to the concept.”

Can you really fall in love at first sight?

Whether it’s Romeo and Juliet or Dumb and Dumber, falling in love at first sight is yet another example of romantic films.

MAFS contestant Arthur Poremba also shocked the world this week when he declared his love for Laura Vaughan at their wedding – despite meeting her just minutes earlier.

In reality, Dr. Kaur believes this is unrealistic, as many single people confuse initial attraction with the phenomenon of love.

‘Initially there may be a strong feeling of attraction, which can easily be mistaken for love,’ she told MailOnline.

‘The physical attraction can be mistaken for intense emotional feelings and interpreted as a sign of something much deeper.’

During the early stages of a relationship, Dr. Kaur explains that most people are often on their best behavior and may be more attentive than usual.

Viewers saw the emotional wedding of Luke Morley and Jay Howard this week, who later ventured off on their honeymoon

She added: ‘This is massively amplified in a show like Married at First Sight, where a camera crew and panel of experts are involved in the whole process.

‘In reality, however, determining compatibility in values, goals and personalities often takes time and occurs through varied shared experiences.’

Dr. Goddard-Crawley agreed, but added: ‘Ultimately, the quality of the connection is more important than how quickly it develops because there is no one-size-fits-all timeline for finding the right life partner.’

What are the signs that you have found The One?

Kindness, intelligence and a good sense of humor are among the countless typical qualities we can expect from a partner.

But Dr. Goddard-Crawley explains that finding ‘The One’ will take much more than this, and MAFS participants must try to find a balance between stability and surprise.

‘While comfort and stability are important, there still needs to be an element of excitement and attraction in the relationship,’ she told MailOnline.

‘However, fear can cause you to misinterpret whether you have found ‘The One’ by causing overthinking, doubt and fear of abandonment.

‘It can reinforce insecurity, avoidance behavior and unrealistic standards.’

Oxytocin – often called the ‘love drug’ – is a hormone produced in the brain that stimulates feelings of intimacy and trust.

Viewers cried as Ella and Nathanial got married after first meeting at the altar and the former Geordie Shore star accepted his new wife for who she is as a transgender woman

Meanwhile, adrenaline is another hormone in our body that is often linked to new experiences and excitement.

A combination of these two hormones can sometimes make finding “The One” confusing, according to Dr. Goddard-Crawley.

But ‘The One’ should make you feel respected and accepted for who you are.

‘Adrenaline can lead to falling in love, which makes the relationship feel exciting and passionate,” she added.

‘However, this type of attraction is often short-lived and does not necessarily lead to a deep, long-lasting connection.

‘Oxytocin plays an important role in building and maintaining emotional connections in long-term relationships. It promotes the feeling of security, attachment and connection between partners.’

Should you trust your first impressions?

As MAFS contestants walked down the aisle this week, there’s no doubt they’re making quick judgments about their new partners.

But Dr. Kaur also claims that first impressions cannot always be trusted as they can be influenced by a range of different factors.

Nerves before a first date and unconscious prejudices are discussed, as well as your own mood on the day.

‘The first click is often more about attraction and preconceived ideas about what a good match is,’ she told MailOnline.

‘The scenario where a couple meets for the first time could also lend itself to a romanticized view of what each other should be like.

‘Moving away from ideals and ‘shoulds’ when it comes to judging the other person will help you see them more realistically and give you the chance to decide whether the interaction is worth pursuing.’

READ MORE: Incredible maps reveal where in the body different types of LOVE are felt – from butterflies in the stomach to tingling in the groin

Love can be experienced in countless wonderful and crazy ways – whether it’s butterflies in the stomach or tingles in the groin.

Now scientists from Aalto University have mapped out 27 different types of feelings and the exact body parts they affect.

The incredible diagrams came about when the Finland-based team asked hundreds of participants to describe the ‘sensation’ of love and what it means to them.

Passionate love was seen as the most powerful of all, impacting the entire upper body, brain and groin area.

Meanwhile, love for strangers – and, controversially, God – was among the weakest forms, with a less explosive effect on the body and mind.

Scientists from Finland’s Aalto University have identified 27 different types of love