Why are we Ticklish?

Posted On agosto 4, 2021

I am quite a ticklish person, breathing on my neck is enough for me to break into laughter. I never really thought about why we as humans are ticklish until quite recently. This question then began to expand to why are other animals ticklish too, so I began my research and brought my results to you guys.

Tickle: Being lightly touched in a way that causes mild discomfort and often laughter.

Ticklish: Sensitive to being tickled

The science behind what happens when you are being tickled:

Scientists concluded that being tickled stimulates your hypothalamus (part of the brain responsible for controlling bodily functions and releasing hormones). This in turn triggers your fight or flight responses as your nerve receptors are being instigated.

The science behind why more people are more ticklish:

To simply put it some people are more sensitive to the touch than others, those who have nerve damages are less likely to be ticklish. Your sensitivity towards being tickled is also influenced by the mood you are in for example if you are sad or angry you are most often less receptive towards being tickled.

Why are humans ticklish?

Well from the information I have provided this far it is safe to conclude the reason some humans are ticklish is for defense purposes. Being tickled causes your body to protect the vulnerable (more sensitive) parts as a response. Another reasoning is the fact you have no control over being tickled- this is why you cannot tickle yourself.

Why are animals ticklish?

Note not all animals are ticklish and similarly to how some humans are more ticklish than others the same can be said about animals. Animals weren’t always ticklish some scientists believe animals have evolved the behavior, but the question still stands why?

Well animals may not break into laughter when being tickled like humans, although that would be adorable if they did but alas, any who they still experience tickling but its more like a gentle itchy feeling. The reason for this is to help get rid of those pesky insects that can cause harm (that makes so much sense- yay for biology).

The human body and biology continues to amaze me as there is always a reasoning for the existence of something. I hope you found this as interesting as we did, feel free to leave any suggestions down below for content you would like to see.

~Stay Curious~

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/why-are-people-ticklish#research

https://askinglot.com/what-does-it-mean-if-youre-not-ticklish

https://www.livescience.com/33378-ticklish-animals.html

https://www.news24.com/health24/lifestyle/healthy-nerves/why-do-we-laugh-when-tickled-20160323