TICKLE TRANSLATION
Dissecting and translating -- the tickle. This is Dr. Steven Andrew Davis,
Speaking of Health. Its mysteries were discussed by Socrates and Aristotle; by
Freud and Darwin. And recently by Selden -- Dr. Samuel Selden, a dermatologist
from
Dr. Selden dissects the sensation known as “tickle” into two parts: “a light or feather-type noxious sensation, and a heavy or laughter-associated sensation. It may be that the light tickle sensation is a way of letting us know that we are being touched by something other than our self. Tickle leading to laughter is usually pleasurable, a sociably desirable integration of touch, such as that between a mother and child. Taking a step further, tickle can have erotic, arousing effect. But you can have too much of a good thing, even when that thing is “tickle.” Prolonged tickling can wear the “tickle-ee” down, over stimulating him or her, causing them to withdraw. Psychiatrists might say that the “tickler” is dominating the “tickle-ee”.
Why are some parts of the body more tickle-sensitive than others? Apparently, no one knows for sure. Some think the sensation is carried on multiple pressure receptors, or on vibration receptors, or are the result of varying proportions of sensations of both itch and touch. Whatever the neuroanatomy, the science of tickle is a seriously laughing matter. Speaking of Health, I’m Dr. Steven Andrew Davis, for CBS News.
Ref: Selden, ST: Tickle. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004; 50:93-7
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