Why can't we tickle ourselves?

Question

I'm just curious , cause i'm at work and bored, and well, i wanna tickle myself..... hahah..

Answer 1

So, if someone else's touch can tickle us, why can't we tickle ourselves? Much of the explanation for this question is still unknown, but research has shown that the brain is trained to know what to feel when a person moves or performs any function. We aren't aware of a lot of the sensations generated by our movements. For example, you probably don't pay much attention to your vocal cords when you speak. For the same reason, we can't tickle ourselves. If we grab our sides in an attempt to tickle ourselves, our brain anticipates this contact from the hands and prepares itself for it. By taking away the feeling of unease and panic, the body no longer responds the same as it would if someone else were to tickle us.

Brain scientists at the University College London have pinpointed the cerebellum as the part of the brain that prevents us from self-tickling. The cerebellum is the region located at the base of the brain that monitors our movements. It can distinguish expected sensations from unexpected sensations. An expected sensation would be the amount of pressure your fingers apply to your keyboard while typing. An unexpected sensation would be someone sneaking up behind you and tapping you on the shoulder. While the brain discards the sensation of typing, it pays a lot of attention to someone tapping on your shoulder. The difference in reactions from expected to unexpected is a built-in response that probably developed in early human history to detect predators.

Answer 2

Because your hand and brain talk to each other.. they both know you are about to do that, so your body isnt affected. It is not possible to tickle yourself. The cerebellum, a part of the brain, warns the rest of the brain that you are about to tickle yourself. Since your brain knows this, it ignores the resulting sensation.


I.M. me for more.

Answer 3

I think it is because all are nerves are from us and when someone else comes to tickle us, it tickles cause it is coming from a different source

Answer 4

Good question! Maybe because we know it's coming and so expect it? Who knows, but I would rather have someone else tickle me than me do it myself. That would be sad! LOL

Answer 5

I can tickle myself sometimes if I can find the right spot.

Answer 6

cause we know we r going to be tickled

Answer 7

AHAHAHA lol how did u discover dat u dat bored tickling ur self lol but now that i think of it good question... lol

Answer 8

Do you want me to tickle you?

Answer 9

I know, right. I tickle the hell outta other people though.

Answer 10

lolzz i was wondering that too a while back...you're so right we just cant tickle ourselves its all so unfair :P