How does Tickling work and why does it affect people differently?
In: Biology
We’re not totally sure.
When we use the word tickle, sometimes we use the word to describe the light flitting sensation that triggers an urge to scratch, sometimes we use the word to describe the nervous laughter inducing sensation generated by someone else applying deep, arrhythmic pressure to a ticklish zone. I’m going to assume you mean the latter.
Here’s what we do know:
We can’t tickle ourselves.
There is strong evidence that this is a primate only instinct.
It’s important for parent-child bonding
Here are some hypotheses as to what it’s for:
Bonding
Combat training
Self protection
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