Why can't we tickle ourselves?

Question

Like, I have heard because the brain knows it is comming so it ignores it, but if someone else says I am going to tickle you, it still tickles when they do. Why is that?

Answer 1

As you said, tickling is partly about knowing that you are going to be tickled. You aren't tickled by yourself because your brain knows that your finger will touch your skin, and will consider it normal. When it's someone else, your brain can't exactly tell how the person is going to tickle you, and this effect of surprise creates the sensation of tickling.

Also, your muscles have to do with it. If you are tickled in an area where your muscles are at work, then the tickling sensation will be greater. If you stretch these muscles regularly, the sensation of tickling can be greatly reduced.



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Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

Because your brain knows the exact motions you are going to do, before you do them. With someone else, even if they tell you they'll tickle you, the brain does not know their exact movements, so it tickles.

Answer 4

Because your brain expects you to tickle yourself, but when other people tickle you, you aren't ready for their touch.

Answer 5

It's probably cause your body knows that your tickling yourself so it won't do anything

Answer 6

EXACTLY THIS IS CAUSE THE OTHER PERSONS HAND IS A FOREIGN THING SO OUR BRAIN IS NOT USED TO THAT TOUCH SO SOOO WE GET THE SENSATION

Answer 7

I always wondered about that myself, I bet you can't sit down and pat your knees, patting one really fast and patting one really slow at the same time.

Answer 8

i always wonder that why cant we tickle our self's?

Answer 9

I never knew that either!
I wanna know.
I bet someone will answer with it.
WEIRD!
lmfaozz.