If a person is very afraid of tickling. What is tickling and why are we afraid of it?

Incredible facts

One of the most pleasant sounds to our ears is laughter, and the strongest laughter is often caused by tickling. Parents tickle their children to make them giggle loudly, and the tickling of lovers is more reminiscent of flirting or innocent caresses.

In what places are people most sensitive to tickling and is it possible to tickle a person to death?

Here are the answers to these and other tickling questions.

1. Tickling helps us bond.

Not only can tickling make us laugh, but it can also help us build relationships. Back in the 19th century, Charles Darwin noted that tickling was a mechanism for social bonding. She serves one of the first forms of communication between mother and child. It also helps build connections between friends and is considered by psychologists to be part five, the highest level of social play, involving intimacy and cognitive interaction.

2. We can't tickle ourselves.

If another person's touch can cause tickling, why can't we tickle ourselves? Scientists suggest that our cerebellum can distinguish unexpected touch from expected sensations, and this suppresses the tickle response. When we try to tickle ourselves the brain anticipates this and prepares for the tickling. Perhaps a person developed different reactions to the expected and the unexpected in order to better protect himself from enemies.

3. The most ticklish spots are the most vulnerable spots during an attack.

The soles of the feet and armpits are considered two of the most sensitive places on our body. In addition, most ticklish areas such as the neck, chest, and genital area are also the most vulnerable in battles.

The axillary vein and artery pass through the armpit and provide unobstructed access to the heart, which is not protected by the chest. The neck also contains two important arteries in the human body that supply blood to the brain. The trachea, which carries air to the lungs, is also located in the neck.

4. Tickling is our body's warning system.

Scientists have found that the feelings we experience when we are tickled make us panic and are natural defense mechanism against crawling insects such as spiders and beetles.

5. Tickling can turn into torture.

There have been cases in history where tickling was used as corporal punishment. There is evidence that the Nazis used tickling as torture. The ancient Romans also used a special type of torture. They tied up the offenders, dipped their feet in salt water and forced the goats to lick it off. Over time, the tickling became very painful.

As for death from tickling, there is evidence that a person can die from laughter, which means it is theoretically possible to some extent.

6.The older we get, the less sensitive we are to tickling.

Is tickling child's play? There is some truth to this, since people under 40 are 10 times more likely to be tickled than those over 40. And this is not because adults do not like tickling, but with age there is a gradual decrease in tactile sensitivity.

7. Tickling can be stopped

How to do it? Place your hand on the hand of the person tickling you. Doctors often resort to this trick. When a doctor wants to examine a patient's stomach, he may ask him to place his hand on his. So you're kind of doing the same thing as the doctor, which makes our brain think you're tickling yourself. The only problem is to grab the tickler's hand.

8. Tickling helps you lose weight

If tickling makes you laugh out loud, it burns calories. Scientists have found that 10-15 minutes of laughter burns an additional 10-40 calories per day, which can mean a weight loss of several kilograms per year. Of course, it's not the same as going to the gym, but if you decide to lose weight, every calorie counts.

9. Tickling can be sexually pleasurable.

For some people, tickling almost any part of the body gives them pleasure, and there are those who get aroused by watching others being tickled. In a broad sense, tickling can serve as a form of foreplay. However, when knismolagnia– arousal from tickling, it becomes a form of sexual fetishism.

10. Why do we laugh when we are tickled?

This is the main unanswered question regarding tickling. Laughter is usually associated with humor and pleasure. But when tickled, it occurs uncontrollably, not being associated with a joke or funny incident. Sometimes the tickling process can even be unpleasant and painful. So why do we laugh?

Tickling causes various involuntary reactions. People laugh, smile, squeal, cry, and just have fun. Some tickle each other, establishing contact and strengthening relationships, others express mutual love by tickling. Whether you're playing with your intimate partner or just fooling around with friends, tickling can help you relax and lift each other's spirits.

Steps

Choice of victim

Take a closer look at your potential victim. Tickling causes an involuntary muscle reaction in people that cannot be controlled. A person can smile, laugh, squeal. Most people are one way or another afraid of tickling, either all over the body or in certain “ticklish places”. You won't need much time to choose a suitable victim.

• Choose someone familiar - it is unlikely that a stranger will react positively to unexpected tickling.
• Even if the victim knows you, you must be sure that he will not mind your touch. Choose a close friend or girlfriend, sibling or cousin as a victim.

1. Pay attention to the signals given by the victim. Some people love to be tickled, others can't stand it. Laughter during tickling is an involuntary reaction; it does not always mean that a person likes it. In the past, forced tickling was even used as torture.

   • You must be sure that your surprise attack will amuse the victim and will not cause him any physical or emotional discomfort. Some people really don't like being tickled.
   • Have you tickled this person before? Did he laugh? Or did he resist, ask you to stop and try to break free? In the latter case, you should not repeat the unsuccessful experience.

2. Focus on the sensitive areas. Some areas of the human body are more sensitive to tickling than others. These are, for example, heels, toes, armpits. Remember these places and try to tickle there first.

   • Other sensitive areas include the abdomen, sides (ribs), back of the knees, back of the neck and ears.
   • Your victim may have one or more areas that are particularly ticklish. Experiment and identify these places.

3. Use different types of touch. Another way to achieve the desired response to tickling is to vary your touch. Be creative. Sometimes light scratching works, other times it takes a lot more effort.

   • Try, for example, sneaking up on your intended victim and lightly touching the back of his neck with your fingertips. Such a touch sends shivers down your spine.
   • Many girls have long nails. These nails will be useful for tickling by scratching or tickling a spider, when you lightly touch the skin with your fingertips and quickly move them.
   • To get a stronger reaction and louder laughter, identify the most sensitive spot and use both hands.
   • You can also change the speed of movements. Some people are more affected by quick tickling, while others are better tickled more slowly.

Tickling for fun

1. Use the effect of surprise. Scientists believe that our reaction to tickling is largely determined by its surprise. The reaction will be less violent if we are prepared for the tickling. Think about it. Can you tickle yourself? Without much success, because your body knows what will happen next. The surprise factor plays a very important role.

   • Try, lightly touching the victim with your very fingertips, and walk up and down its sides.
   • You can also try to sneak up on the victim unnoticed. Place your hand on her shoulder or hug her. And...tickle! Continue tickling for about a minute until you become tired or until the victim breaks away or begs for mercy.
   • For a change, you can sneak up on the victim from behind, wrap him in your arms and tickle him around the waist.
   • Another method is to attack from an ambush. If you are lucky, this will provide you with complete surprise. For example, you can wait for your prey, hiding around the corner, and suddenly jump out when it approaches!

2. Aim for the sides. Take advantage of the victim's surprise and temporary confusion by choosing the most vulnerable spot. Usually such a place is the sides from the ribs - they are easy to reach and are sensitive to tickling. Act immediately!

   • You can also tickle under the arms. If your victim is sensitive to tickling in this area, tickle alternately on the sides and under the arms.

3. Identify other weak points. If all goes well, your victim will soon begin to laugh, crouching down in exhaustion and trying unsuccessfully to escape. So, the defense is broken! Now you can take advantage of your victim's vulnerability by tickling him in other places.

   • Try tickling the back of your knees. This technique will only work if your victim is wearing shorts or a short skirt.
   • Most people's heels make a wonderful tickling target, but they can be difficult to reach. If your victim's heels are exposed and you can reach them, be sure to tickle them there.
   • Rely on your knowledge of the victim. Be aware of her sensitive areas and try to move quickly from one sensitive area to another. By doing so, you will reduce her chances of successful resistance.

4. Use a brush, pen, or other device. The right tool will help you make your victim laugh uncontrollably. Experiment with different objects - fluffy and not very fluffy, soft and tougher, and so on.

   • A simple feather or feather duster used to sweep away dust works well.
   • You can also use a brush with soft bristles.

More intense tickling

1. Get consent. Consent is essential for everything you will ever do with your partner in an intimate setting. Be clear that your partner is willing to participate in any erotic tickling games you engage in.

2. Tie up your victim. Tickling stimulates the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for body temperature, hunger and sexual behavior. This is why tickling causes sexual arousal for some people. If both you and your partner would like to play with each other, tie him or her up. All the ticklish spots will be more accessible, and your victim will not be able to hide, escape or run away, so you will have complete freedom of action.

   • Tie your victim to something, such as a chair. Sit her on a chair and wrap the rope around the victim's body and the back of the chair so that her hands are also under the rope. However, do not tighten the rope too tightly.
   • It is best to tie the victim in a prone, spread-eagle position with his arms above his head and feet fixed. This can be done on the bed. If your partner agrees, ask him or her to lie on the bed and, taking a rope, tie each arm individually to the headboard. Handcuffs can be used instead of rope.

The vast majority of people on our planet are afraid of tickling. In this issue we will talk about why this happens and why a person needs this feature of the body.

Tickling is usually accompanied by laughter and various sensations from pleasant to annoying and almost always causes laughter. It is worth noting that not only humans are famous for this feature, but also some species of animals. For example, apes and even rats, which associate it with play, which causes positive emotions in the animal. Surprisingly, they even make sounds somewhat similar to human laughter. Based on research, some layers of the cerebral cortex of rats, when stimulated, cause similar reactions. At the same time, just like in humans, tickling can cause unpleasant sensations to the animal if it is under stressful conditions.

Incredibly, there is evidence that tickling was used as torture by the Nazis in World War II. The prisoner was put into a state of agony by using goose feathers and mocking his naked body for hours. And the British Medical Journal describes another type of torture, when the victim’s feet were soaked in salt water, after which a specially brought goat licked it off, bringing incredible torment. Another study from Vernon Vieux's book shows that offensive tickling can cause extreme physical reactions such as vomiting, urinary incontinence and even loss of consciousness.

And finally, I would like to note that the peculiarities of the nervous system do not make it possible to engage in self-tickling, because Not only physiology, but also the psyche is responsible for the reaction to it. However, according to research, people with schizophrenia can do this without any restrictions.

Heger, Heinz. The Men With the Pink Triangle.

Wiehe, Vernon. Sibling Abuse: Hidden Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Trauma

02.01.2017

Smiles and laughter are the best things that can happen when communicating with loved ones. To provoke loud laughter and defuse the situation, people begin to tickle each other. Parents with small children especially like to do this. But tickling lovers can be a manifestation of flirting and playful affection. But bad luck happens that a person does not react to tickling, or, on the contrary, reacts too aggressively. What is this connected with? Why are some people afraid of tickling and others not?

What is tickling?

In order to understand why some people respond to tickling and others do not, it is worth understanding the process itself. Tickling is an impact on human skin, as a result of which, most often, a reaction is provoked in the form of excitement, laughter and the appearance of uncontrolled movements. There is a theory that our ancestors gave us this reaction to tickling. This is the so-called protective reflex to touch. This way people could react in time to the touch of a poisonous insect and prevent a bite.

Why do people laugh when tickled?

But why do people laugh during tickling? It is believed that during tickling, the nervous system is overloaded due to the impact on many nerve endings. And laughter is an effective method for relieving tension and easing the load on the nervous system.

The most sensitive places to tickle

The most sensitive areas to tickling are the skin in the ribs, abdomen, feet, popliteal fossae, and armpits. It is in these places that the largest number of nerve endings are located. Therefore, a person’s reaction to tickling will depend on the location of exposure.

What do scientists think about tickling?

Scientists are mixed in their thinking about the different reactions people have to tickling. It is believed that only people with high willpower or a very low threshold of sensitivity are not afraid of tickling. People with increased excitability of the nervous system, people who are hot-tempered and unbalanced react more strongly to tickling. In addition, the cerebellum is responsible for the reaction to tickling in the human body. There is a theory that when certain areas of the cerebellum are disrupted, the reaction to tickling is also disrupted, even to the point of its absence.

Since tickling affects superficial nerve endings, a more pronounced reaction is observed in people with thin skin. People with rough, thick skin react weakly to tickling and are practically not afraid of it.

Reaction to tickling in adults and children

Why are children afraid of tickling, but most adults are not? With age, there is a gradual decrease in tactile sensitivity. Therefore, older people are less afraid of tickling, despite the fact that in childhood it brought a lot of emotions.

In fact, tickling is not something to be afraid of. You have to learn to enjoy it. Even people who have a low sensitivity threshold, in a relaxed state, can laugh when tickled. What could be better than laughter? It’s not for nothing that they say that laughter prolongs life.

Tickling is the most unpleasant phenomenon that causes contagious laughter and irritability. It involves physical pressure using your fingertips or a gentle feather on sensitive areas of the body: heels, neck, wrists, stomach and armpits.

Only those people who have weak nerve endings can enjoy it. In other cases, they lose control of their emotions and wonder how to concentrate in such situations and how to stop being afraid of tickling? There are several effective exercises that will help you pull yourself together.

Dangerous moment

Tickle torture has existed since ancient times. Only the bravest person could withstand it. In total, several dangers can be identified that arise due to its effect on a certain area of ​​the body:

• Slight dizziness appears.
• Uncontrolled urination may occur.
• The sensitivity of some points becomes aggravated, which is why pain then appears.
• Hiccups begin.
• Salivation increases.
• If you act on the same area for a long time, spasms and severe suffocation may occur, and you may even die from tickling.

What can you do to avoid these negative aspects? You should deal with tickling.

Method one - complete “switching”

The first thing a person who is being “tickled” needs is to relax as much as possible. It is recommended to do breathing exercises - take a smooth deep breath and exhale the same way. During it, you need to try to switch from this situation to any other: think about existing problems, reflect on philosophical topics, mentally imagine any phenomenon, for example, the sun rising, waves splashing or water flowing from a tap. This cunning method will allow a person to concentrate on his thoughts, this will reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings.

Method two - full concentration

Experienced psychologists know first-hand how to stop being afraid of tickling. They recommend that during physical impact on a certain part of the body, fully concentrate on the object: feel its warmth, roughness, gravity, friction, the moment of contact. Or in the gaze of the one who carries out the torture, in the picture that hangs on the wall or on any object. This way, the brain will be distracted from the tickling process, and it will be easier to bear.

Method three - transformation

Most often, a person, in order to mock another person, begins to tickle his heels. They are considered the most sensitive area. During such a period, a person develops a feeling of slight and incomprehensible fear, which he cannot cope with on his own. At this moment, you should mentally make a transformation of emotions, for example, transform them into a feeling of aggression. Anger will allow you to overcome yourself and reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings.

Method four - “cinema” exercise

The most effective method to overcome your fear of tickling is to mentally transport yourself to a movie theater. A person should imagine that he is sitting alone in a spacious and beautiful hall. There should be a feeling of calm, comfort and security. Some famous black and white film is shown on the big screen. It’s worth trying to imagine all the events that are happening in your head, see the faces of the main characters, and understand their feelings. After just five minutes of such a relaxation session, you will notice that the feeling of fear has completely left you.

Method five - positive phrases

While tickling, you need to talk to yourself. In a calm voice, say pleasant phrases about how good everything is. From the outside it may look a little stupid. This technique will create a special signal for the brain that will stop panic.

Simple rules

In total, we can highlight a few basic rules on how to stop being afraid of tickling.

• You need to constantly train. For example, ask a friend or relative to periodically tickle themselves in a certain area. You can influence it yourself using a soft object. During this process, you need to practice distraction exercises. This method will help you get used to this state and understand which method of relaxation will help more.
• You should always perceive tickling as something very pleasant, capable of bringing the most positive emotions. The brain will automatically remember this setting. During exposure to a certain point, it will give appropriate signals.
• Periodically you need to do breathing exercises, it will help you cope with a wide variety of emotions.

There are people who constantly have a panicky fear of tickling. Even in a calm state, they experience severe discomfort. In this case, you need to contact a psychotherapist, he will conduct a course of relaxation therapy that will help you cope with this condition.