Tickle addiction is possible
QtipSoftness120 said:
ok people this post was NOT in a joking manner. i was being serious about what i was talking about. a simple yes or no would have been just fine!
A simple yes or no? Here? ROFL. Okay, you want a serious answer? I can't guarantee that I won't stray into witticisms, but here is my hypothesis on the establishment of a bona fide tickling addiction based on hard science. I'll keep it relatively short.
Q. Can tickling become a behavioral addiction, like pornography?
A. The answer is
probably, yes, and here's why:
Behavioral addictions of all types have one common denominator: Altered Emotional State. The greater the "rush" or "high" received when participating in the activity, the greater the desire to repeat it. Some may argue that activities such as tickling or fetishism in general are purely augmented psycho-sexual obsessions and have no basis for the creation of altered emotional states, but, there is an abundance of research that would indicate a
chemical relationship between activities such as tickling and the euphoric state associated with it. The euphoria can so parallel that of a narcotic, that it is possible for people to become hooked. Thus, tickling addiction could be arguably categorized as a physical dependant.
The chemical I refer to is a neurohormone called Beta-Endorphin (the contracted term for endogenous morphine). Secreted from the pituitary gland in the brain, this chemical bonds to the same neuro-receptors as the opiate, morphine, creating almost identical feelings of euphoria. During sex, this hormone can increase to over 200 times its normal volume within the entire sexual encounter.
Endorphins are produced as a result of physical exertion, sexual excitation, hearty laughter, and even light touch. Now, bear in mind that the same endorphin rush experienced by the ticklee, can be experienced by the tickler as well, since sex is not a mandatory component in the creation of Endorphin. In fact, touch isn't even necessary. The mere viewing of sexually arousing material for some people can trigger the production of endorphin to the degree that the viewer becomes almost giddy with excitement. The repetitive viewing of such material, or participation in such activities can, over time, induce an addictive response
When we use the word "Addiction" however, it does denote an obsessive dependency that becomes necessary for the afflicted person to repeat, even at the expense of other daily activities. Therefore, to have an addiction to tickling would mean that the behavior interferes with ones ability to perform other activities, and in most cases will take precedence in importance over and above other activities. This is usually the point at which the term addiction takes on a clinical meaning and may require the assistance of a mental health professional to address. If this is you, then you definitely have an addiction. If not, then you are most likely, just harmlessly weird. (there's that witticism I mentioned earlier. Here's another)
You may read my thesis in its entirety at the Library of Congress website, entitled:
The Dangers of Sharing Feathers Among Americas Tickle Junkies
