Tickling is a sensation that most people have experienced at some point in their lives. For some, it can elicit laughter and enjoyment. For others, it can feel uncomfortable or even painful. But is tickling actually good for your health and wellbeing? Here we’ll explore the effects of tickling from physical, psychological and social perspectives.
What is tickling?
Tickling involves lightly touching parts of the body, such as the feet, armpits, belly and ribs in a way that causes involuntary twitching, squirming and laughter. It activates certain nerve endings under the skin that transmit sensations of light pressure and touch. Along with the physical sensation, there is also a psychological element associated with feeling surprised, vulnerable or even violated.
Tickling requires elements of unpredictability and lack of control to elicit laughter and squirming. When you know you’re about to be tickled, it doesn’t produce the same sensation or reaction. Two key reflexes are activated with tickling – the knismesis reflex that produces a light tickling sensation and the gargalesis reflex that induces heavier twitching and laughter.
The science behind tickling
Research has shown that parts of the brain like the hypothalamus and sensory cortices activate during tickling. One of the predominant brain chemicals released is dopamine, which regulates feelings of pleasure. Endorphins are also produced, which can reduce stress and produce a temporary ‘high’.
Interestingly, it’s impossible to successfully tickle yourself because your cerebellum predicts the touch. The element of unpredictability and lack of control that comes from another person doing the tickling seems to be key to producing the sensation. Your brain also processes tickling sensations differently depending on who is doing the tickling. Being tickled by a stranger tends to be less pleasurable than being tickled by a romantic partner or close friend. Emotional closeness and bonding may enhance the enjoyment of tickling.
There are also differences in ticklishness between different parts of the body. Feet are often very ticklish, while the back is much less sensitive. And while fingers can deftly tickle another person, they are not at all ticklish themselves. These differences may be due to how areas of the body and skin receive signals to the brain.
Physical effects
For most people, tickling causes laughing, smiling and giggling. This represents an increase in positive emotion. Laughing has been shown to reduce stress hormones, relax muscles and activate endorphins. One study found laughing for 10-15 minutes could burn 10-40 calories by increasing heart rate and oxygen consumption. So tickling could support heart health and stress management through laughter.
However, uncontrolled, intense laughter from tickling can lead to negative physical effects. These include:
- Increased stress on the diaphragm, lungs and heart
- Triggering urinary incontinence
- Exacerbating conditions like hernias, incontinence or headaches
- Contributing to asthma attacks or fainting
Children tend to be most susceptible to these risks from excessive tickling. One study found 37% of children surveyed had experienced tickling they disliked, and 10% had tickling imposed on them against their wishes. For some individuals tickling may not produce laughter at all, but anxiety or discomfort. Overall the physical impact seems to depend on the severity, location and consensual nature of tickling.
Psychological effects
Psychologically, tickling can reduce tension, elevate mood, enhance social bonding and potentially boost self-esteem through laughter. These psychological benefits seem most pronounced when tickling is done consensually between partners, friends or family members. Between romantic partners, tickling may be used as a form of flirtation and foreplay.
However, tickling can also have negative psychological effects if it feels violating or imposed. Unwanted tickling can create feelings of fear, anxiety, humiliation, embarrassment and betrayal in an individual. Being tickled against your will involves a loss of control and imposed touch, which many people find highly unpleasant. A forced reaction like laughter may also lead to added stress, rather than enjoyment.
Tickling may sometimes be used as an act of bullying, harassment or abuse. Here it emphasizes the powerlessness of the victim at the hands of the tickler imposing unwanted sensations. Overall the psychological impact seems closely tied to whether tickling is consensual versus forced.
Social effects
From a social standpoint, consensual tickling often strengthens social bonds through shared laughter and touch. This may reinforce intimacy in romantic relationships or enhance parent-child connections. Tickling is a common form of play between parents and infants, contributing to bonding and secure attachment.
However tickling can also have negative social impacts. Children sometimes use tickling to assert dominance over siblings or peers. And tickling can contribute to harassment or abuse in the workplace, schools or other social settings. Unwanted tickling impairs consent and choice for the person being tickled.
Tickling often occurs in asymmetric power dynamic relationships like between parents-children or teachers-students. The tickler wielding more power can easily cross the line into non-consensual tickling. So there is a risk of using tickling to take advantage of others.
Is self-tickling healthy?
Because it’s not possible to effectively tickle yourself, self-tickling doesn’t produce laughter or psychological benefits. You can attempt to tickle your own feet, ribs or other areas but the sensation will be limited.
Some people may use devices or toys to tickle themselves, simulating tickling from another person. But it’s unclear if this produces benefits like elevated mood or reduced tension. There isn’t research evidence showing health impacts from self-tickling. The psychological and physiological benefits seem to require another person doing the tickling and an element of unpredictability.
Benefits and risks
Potential benefits of consensual tickling include:
- Elevated mood through laughter
- Social bonding
- Reduced tension or anxiety
- Increased pain tolerance
- Strengthened relationships
Potential risks and negatives of tickling include:
- Urinary incontinence
- Headaches
- Increased stress on lungs/heart
- Anxiety
- Feeling of violation
- Power struggles
- Elevated aggression
Safety precautions
If tickling is mutually desired, some precautions can help maintain the benefits while minimizing risks:
- Agree upon designated tickling and non-tickling zones.
- Establish and respect a safe word to immediately cease tickling.
- Avoid prolonged tickling sessions which can become tiring or stressful.
- Tickle lightly using fingers rather than tools.
- Avoid tickling seniors who may have pain or incontinence issues.
- Cease any tickling if breathing seems impaired.
Following basic guidelines like these can allow tickling to remain an enjoyable activity for those who desire it.
Conclusion
Tickling has the potential for both pleasure and risks. When done consensually and respectfully between partners, friends or family members, it can positively enhance mood, social bonds and relationships. But non-consensual tickling or tickling someone against their wishes can cause distress and harm.
Overall, tickling appears to offer health benefits primarily when it’s a mutually enjoyable experience. Those receiving the tickling maintain control over the situation and can stop it at any time. Like many activities, tickling requires awareness, communication and respect between all involved parties in order to stay healthy and positive.