Why am I so ticklish?

Question

I am ticklish everywhere--my feet, shoulders, neck, face... Why is this?

Answer 1

The bottom line is that the human body has several nerve endings all of the skin and the feet, neck and armpits are generally places were there are more nerve bundles than some other places.

There is also the tolerance factor. Some people have a very high pain tolerance and some people have a very low pain tolerance. Likewise, some people can easily control themselves when they are being tickled and other who cannot (and then there are people like me who love to be tickled so much that they do not want to control the laughter).

A third factor is muscle control. My guess is that you tense your muscles every time you are tickled or think that you are going to be tickled. As a result, you are more ticklish than if you relaxed your muscles. The next time somebody tickles you and you do not want to laugh much, take some deep breaths and relax. Focus your eyes on an object like a doorknob, a light switch or a poster and do not pay attention to the tickling or the tickler. If the tickler is joking with you to make you laugh, describe the object that you are looking at so it overrides what the tickler is saying or doing. In time, you will be able to control it - if that is your true desire.

The next question is: do you find it a blessing or a curse to be so ticklish? I LOVE to engage in playful, respectful, consensual tickling encounters. As a result, I find being very ticklish to be a blessing and not a curse.

I hope that you enjoy it as much as many others do and I wish you all the best!

Answer 2

Scientists suggest that being ticklish is our defense against creepy crawlies like spiders and bugs, a physiological response alerting us to a specific type of threat. That is why vulnerable parts of our bodies -- feet, chest, and armpits, are among the most ticklish.

While there is no question that being ticklish is neurological, scientists contend that it is also learned. One theory sees ticklishness as a personality-based response to perceived attack. Antsy folks may laugh uncontrollably at the lightest touch, or even without being touched at all, while folks made of sterner stuff won't budge during more aggressive tickle attacks.

If you close your eyes and try to remain calm while you are tickled, you can decrease panic, reduce giggles, and dull sensation. And, no matter how hard you try, it is nearly impossible to tickle yourself.

Tickling satisfies our human need to touch. Robert R. Provine, a professor of neuroscience and author of Quest for Laughter, sees the tickle as a form of communication between friends, family, and lovers, playing a key role in the evolution of social and sexual behavior. He points to chimps tickling each other during play, parents tickling little kids, and lovers tickling each other affectionately.

Answer 3

There are a number of possible answers for physical or psychological reasons as advanced by previous posters. As for choosing the most apt, it might help to determine whether you view your ticklishness as something positive, neutral or negative. Good luck!

Answer 4

It's because you haven't had much physical contact with other people. You are not used to it. And that's why you are so sensitive to it.

Once you do lots of hugging and kissing and lots of some other intimate stuff with a guy you like on a regular basis. Then you won't be so ticklish anymore.

Answer 5

your skin is probably just really sensitive. it's also from your genetics. i'm really ticklish too especially my belly.

Answer 6

because happy and fun people are more ticklish!!

Answer 7

i'm jsut like you! my ex boyfriend put his hands on my knee and it tickled so i have to tell boys that because my guy friends like to tickle me when they see me!

Answer 8

cuz of ur genes.