© Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels
Who has never experienced this ambiguous situation : seized by an irrepressible burst of laughter under the tickling effect, while begging his “torturer” to stop? This duality between pleasure and discomfort raises interesting questions about the neurological and evolutionary mechanisms behind this phenomenon. Neuroscientists are looking into this reflex, revealing little little the underside of this very particular reaction.
The term “tickling” actually covers two distinct phenomena. On the one hand, knismesis, that light sensation caused by the brushing of an insect or a feather on the skin. On the other hand, gargalesis, the subject of our investigation, which refers to intense tickling aimed at the ribs or armpits, triggering laughter and gesticulation in many people.
Alicia Walf, a neuroscientist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, highlights a fundamental difference between laughter provoked by tickling and laughter from a joke. Laughter triggered by humor is processed in the frontal lobe, the seat of memory and abstract thought in our brain. Conversely, the sensation of tickling is managed by the limbic system, which is more involved in primary emotions.
One of the most widespread theories sees tickling as a social bonding mechanism. Walf notes that we generally do not appreciate being tickled by strangers. This observation suggests that tickling plays a role in strengthening bonds, particularly between parents and children.
Tickling could also be a very important process in the cognitive development of newborns. Babies and young children, who are more ticklish than adults, would thus see their sensory system “trained” by these intense stimulations. Walf specifies that at birth, the sensory system must be educated quite early. Tickling can therefore play this role, since by tickling our little ones, we would thereby contribute to refining their ability to distinguish harmless sensations from potentially dangerous ones.
This hypothesis would explain why the most ticklish areas are located near vital organs. ” It is beneficial to teach this part of the body that “OK, this touch is acceptable”, but beyond a certain threshold, it is no longer acceptable », adds the researcher. A form of ancestral memory and brain plasticity that would have allowed us to develop increased sensitivity to vulnerable areas of our body, while giving us room to maneuver to understand positive social interactions.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000A rather intriguing aspect of tickling, which we have all noticed at some point, lies in our inability to tickle ourselves. This phenomenon is partly explained by the absence of surprise, a key element of the reaction. But Walf goes further; There is actually an inhibitory mechanism that can reduce this sensation. It is activated in particular when we are in a bad mood or uncomfortable with the person tickling us.
« We have very precise body mapping, which allows us to control sensation and partially attenuate the tickling pathway ,” explains the neuroscientist. This self-regulatory capacity would support the idea that tickling helps babies distinguish self from other.
The psychologist Robert Provine, a specialist in laughter, suggests that the laughter caused by tickling could constitute a form of preverbal communication between infants and their parents. A hypothesis that highlights the potential role of tickling in early cognitive and social development.
Tickling, far from being a simple harmless reaction, turns out to be a complex phenomenon with many facets. At the crossroads of neurological development, social communication and sensory learning, it continues to pique the curiosity of researchers. While its precise mechanisms remain partly mysterious, one thing is certain: this very particular reaction is a testament to the fascinating complexity of our brain and body. So, the next time you find yourself in an uncontrollable fit of laughter under the influence of tickles, remember that your brain is performing a true neurological feat, juggling between pleasure and protection, social connection and sensory learning. A performance that deserves a few laughs, right ?
📍 To not miss any Presse-citron news, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.
[ ]
Before his PSG match against Brest, young Bradley Barcola attracts praise from the media who…
Before his PSG match against Brest, young Bradley Barcola attracts praise from the media who…
© Warner Bros After two particularly successful feature films, Stephen King's It Saga will be…
© Renault It’s always interesting to know where products that we can use on a…
The fire that broke out in the massif of Aspres Thursday, is now fixed. On…
À the origin of the The Mazan rape case, Dominique Pélicot had first attracted attention…