Lab Notes: Why are we ticklish?
Show notes
Most people know the feeling of ticklishness, whether it's the tickle attacks that bring about uncontrollable laughter or the feather-like touch from something brushing against your skin.
But why do we feel ticklish? Can we stop it? And why did we — and all our ape cousins — evolve this sensation?
Jonathan Webb speaks to Dr Anina Rich to explore the science of this everyday experience.
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Featuring:
- Dr Anina Rich, Macquarie University
Further information:
Human ticklishness is a widespread, culturally shared and bodily organized sensory experienceThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.