The Science of Tickle
One of my cousins had a habit of tickling
everyone around. He used to enjoy this game so much that the ticking sessions
used to last very long. Though his action used to make me laugh but I thought I
might die someday with the excessive riot of laughter. Thank god we all are
grown up now & his tickling torture has ended finally. However, while growing
up I always wondered, “Why am I so ticklish?” So, I researched a bit & now
I know what it is all about.
How it happens?
Think of that slow & soft move of fingers
on your belly & you can’t help but burst out with laughter. Some of us also
get Goosebumps when we feel such tickle. Most of the time we just can’t control
this laugh & feel we would not be able to bear it for very long. So, the
science suggests that when someone tickle us at a particular spot the nerves
placed in that region of skin send touch & pain related signals to our
brain. Our brain processes these signals & release Endorphin which causes
laughter. However interesting thing is that people who are more sensitive
towards tickle sometimes starts laughing even before being touched. Isn’t amazingly
interesting?
Can you tickle yourself?
Has it ever occurred to you that we often
touch our body parts for bath kinds of activities but we don’t get the ticklish
feeling? In this sphere studies suggested that the skin doesn’t send similar
signals as compared to being touched by others. Hence, our brain doesn’t get
that element of surprise & shock to invoke involuntary laughter.
Social aspects related to Tickling
While we
might presume that tickling is just an innocent way of showing closeness
to someone , things are different in several cases. In many countries prisoners
were tortured using merciless tickling. This was considered very brutal
punishment. Also, in one of the book named “Sibling Abuse” highlighted 150
cases of adults who confirmed being abused by their siblings during younger
age. These people never liked those tickle episodes & developed severe
psychological disorders.
Finally, we all know why do we feel the sharp
urge to laugh & sensation when someone tickles us. Though, it is indeed a
sign of closeness between two people when they tickle each other. But, always
be little mindful while tickling little kids & elders. They might not find
it very comfortable to end up in a serious medical situation. So, tickle a bit
& have a hearty laugh.
Comments