Are People's Ticklishness Inherited?

[JimmyBoy]

I was wondering if there is a such thing as "the tickle gene" and if being ticklish or not ticklish had anything to do with genetics? Does anyone have more info. on this matter?

 

[His Divine Shadow]

It may be so in my family. I remember hearing an grand aunt once mention that all the men on my mother's side were quite ticklish; if it is truly genetic I got it and then some. Could be coincidence, of course.

 

[allabouttamaki]

I think there must be some relation. My aunt and my cousin are both incredibly ticklish and have they same kind of feet.

 

[milagros317]

It's a physical characteristic (yes, also modified by psychological factors) so must be in large part genetic.

 

[Deleted member 2452]

more than likely.

i'd say yes. most of our traits are inherited, so why not being ticklish. it's just a question of nerve sensitivity really.

steve

 

[Artoo]

Perhaps we inherit the sensitivity of the nerve endings in our skin, but our fetish is brought about by environmental factors?

 

[-Hari-]

my parents were both ticklish, my mum more than my dad, my brother has more of my mums characteristics and i have more of my dads, and my borthers more ticklish than me..lucky bastard

 

[Anna6-9]

All of my close related female reletives are ticklish. Mom, both sisters, and even my grandma. I've actually converted my twin sister to tickling as a fetish. She likes to come and lurk under my profile but shhhh its a secret!

 

[method11236]

I dunno; but I love to ask girls this question to find out if their mums and sisters are ticklish.

 

[RunnerGirl]

I definitely think it is, since i know for a fact that it's pretty easy to get my mom laughing, and my dad is SUPER ticklish, and I know my grandma is ticklish too. My brother and I inherited it from them.

 

[Sleepy Jean]

My two sisters and I are insanely ticklish. So is my mother. My daughter is ultra-ticklish on the soles of her feet. I don't think it's heredity. I just think most people are ticklish.

Love,
Jean

 

[AgentSugar69]

It's not hereditary.

However, due to the fact that the average person is ticklish [as opposed to not], the odds are in favor that you'll see a "pattern" in a family.

It is also a trait that develops partly from social influence. I used to be pretty ticklish as a kid, but once I got older and people my age stopped being all 'touchy playful' and whatnot, it completely went away.

 

[maniactickler]

Simple answer....no.

 

[E-Dawg]

It has to be......

I know my mother is ticklish. And so am I. There is no doubt in my mind that kids of mine will be ticklish, too. A lot of people in my family have to wear glasses. There are many traits that are hereditary.

 

[fitnesstickle]

I definitely think it is, since i know for a fact that it's pretty easy to get my mom laughing, and my dad is SUPER ticklish, and I know my grandma is ticklish too. My brother and I inherited it from them.

I love that your Dad is SUPER ticklish. Lucky guy.
DO you have stories of your Mom proving this ?

 

[ticklishdanny]

Hmm i'm not so sure, I don't think my parents are ticklish but I know for a fact that me and my brothers are