Tickling Experinments?

[TickledToDeath]

Has there ever been any serious indepth studies and experinments done on tickling and the effects it has on the human body and mind?

I am talking serious studies. Volunteers are wired up to EKG machies and bio feedback machines along with other monitoring devices and chemical studies(blood samples taken etc) and finding out exactly what happens in the human body and brain when tickled for long periods of time?
What is the effect it has both physically and phychologically and physiologically?

I heard rumor that a long time ago, in the magazine Popular Science or Popular Mechanics that some studies were being conducted as well as in some Universities since but I have never seen genuine indepth publications released on the findings.

Do you think there would be an acutal interest in this?

I am IN the medical field and I would like to perform such studies with the cooperation of qualified professionals and perhaps answer some of the questions raised here lately.

I don't think it was ever taken seriously and the time may be right for such studies.

What do YOU think?


Would anyone here volunteer for such studies?


TTD

 

[harvey]

TTD,
You are right, there was an ancient Popular Science 'artickle', published sometime in late 50's or early 60's. I have actually read the article and I believe it was entitled "Ticklishness is no Laughing Matter". I don't have complete reference at hand, but I can try to find it, if U would like.

Harvey

 

[bickee]

I'd be happy to help you...hehehe.😛

 

[TicklingDuo]

TTD,
You are right, there was an ancient Popular Science 'artickle', published sometime in late 50's or early 60's. I have actually read the article and I believe it was entitled "Ticklishness is no Laughing Matter". I don't have complete reference at hand, but I can try to find it, if U would like.

Harvey

Guys...If I'm not mistaken, I seem to recall adding a link to that article in our articles page.

Ann

 

[Oddjob0226]

Cecil Adams mentions this article in his book The Straight Dope. Dr. Joost Merloo I beleive researched tickling, & wrote the article, I don't think he did any experiments. The only other experiments I've heard about were the one about laughter done a few years ago with the tickling 'robot hand' and the little snippets I've heard about tickling and depression.....

 

[TickledToDeath]

Bickee: Get in touch with me if you are really interested.
That goes for anyone else who has an interest in the name of science in partaking in this experinmental venture. Thanks for your offer, it is accepted!

Oddjob: I saw what you refered to with the robot tickler etc and that study was actually very lame to say the least. NO actual indepth study has been done as far as I know and you seemed to have verified my findings or lack thereof. Thanks for responding.


Harvey: Thanks for your response too. I have never seen the article in question. From what I have heard about it, the study was not all that specific and the study itself was not all that serious.


Sooooooooooooooo people, the ball is in OUR court now, yes?

IF there are any others who wish to express interest in taking on this little experinment, get in touch with me.

Especially anyone who is also in the medical field and would have access to the necessary mechanical equiptment.
I can take care of the LAB work as far as the chemical aspect in the body etc. since that is My field.

This is NOT an overnight venture and I presume will take some time to set up and all but let's get things started one way or another.

TTD

 

[Oddjob0226]

You are right - to my knoledge there has been no in-depth research on tickling, althought the studies on depression probably come the closest ( Have you seen the articles?) The "robot-hand" study was more about humor, anyway.

I would be interested in helping out, although I am not sure what I could do.......

 

[TickledToDeath]

Ok, well I have not seen the articles but I did see the robot one and yes it was geared towards humor. Absolutely no theraputic value in that study whatsoever.

Now, this is a very rough outline of my intention with the possible study.
It will consist of at least 30-40 people (more if possible but an even amount). 15-20 who are "INTO" tickling and 15-20 who are NOT INTO being tickled. For obvious reasons. Those INTO being tickled will have slightly biased results.

The volunteers will have tests performed on them both prior and at the conclusion of the experinment.
The tests will be of a physical and psychological as well as biological nature.

The results calculated studied and published.

I will seek volunteers from both HERE and on the outside.

Any College students here in the TMF who are studying anything in the Medical field or anyone affiliated with a University connected in the medical field in some capacity, contact me via e-mail.
[email protected]

Yeah, some may think this is outragious but there have been more ODD studies conducted and THIS one could definatly proove to be beneficial on many levels and these experinments will be taken very seriously.

What do you think?

Opinions will also be welcome but those who do not have anything constructive to say or add, please refrain from the wisecracks and flames. I am SURE anything deragatory will be ommited and deleted by the "Powers that be" of the TMF.


TTD

 

[TicklingDuo]

Hmmm, let's see....

EEG machine, EKG machine, running BP monitor, blood tubes & needles, swabs, digital thermometer w/ sleeves, beds, food & drink, staff (including a psychiatrist)....

How much do you make as a lab tech, TTD? LOL This would be great but very expensive. I think we need to find a person or two who's into medical research and has some pull. This way, we could use a lab that's already set up. Subjects would likely be better kept in isolation from one another...though a follow-up second study could explore the psychological impact of hearing others relate their experiences before going in.

So....when do we start? 😀

Ann

 

[TickledToDeath]

If this is done in conjunction with students or a student from a University, OR, if I can get ahold of some connections I have or can make, the Use of the needed equiptment will be either rentable or on loan(donated).
As far as the lab stuff(needles tubes swabs) I can handle that end with the help and assistance of either Lab Corp. and or Quest Diagnostics.

When we start is a whole other story.
Interviews will have to be conducted first.

TTD

 

[Speedy_UK]

tickling the disabled for research

I am disabled and went to a disabled school. I believe that tickling helps/encourges the improvement in a persons disability.

I would love to know more about this. But I truly beleave that tickling should be used at a form of theorpy.

Please keep me imformed of the studies.

Yours

Speedy_UK
[email protected]

PS I have Cerebal Palsy

 

[mysterytic]

Popular Science article from 1960

That is the date I remember. The only studies I have read about were in the medical community researching pain transmitters. Scientific American had an article about the relation of pain and tickling. The studies were supposed to find out why some people are ticklish while others are not. If the ticklish nerves can be controlled then pain can be controlled; that was the aim of the studies. I don't know how far the studies have done. There also is an article about the "Ten Fingers of Dr Harris" a female researcher going work on a college campus. Both male and female students were tickled to find a variety of information on the nervous system. As far a prolonged tickling studies I think it would be hard to get volunteers from the general population. 😡 Only here will we find them. 😀

 

[TickledToDeath]

I agree that it would be difficult finding volunteers in the gen pop. but looking only HERE in the TMF , while make the physical and physiological findings accurate etc....the Psychological findings may be biased since those (we) are already INTO it.

There would have to be at least a few volunteers who are Not necessairially turned on(INTO) being tickled.

TTD

 

[mysterytic]

TTD

Yes you are correct about the physchological connection with those not into tickling. But then again for the experimenters, like us, it wouldn't be as much fun. Now how can we get appointed to the scientic community to carry out those experiments?😀

 

[TickledToDeath]

Re: TTD

Yes you are correct about the physchological connection with those not into tickling. But then again for the experimenters, like us, it wouldn't be as much fun. Now how can we get appointed to the scientic community to carry out those experiments?😀

I will see what I can do.

I was also hoping that someone here in the TMF community attending a university could lend a hand in come capacity.

All in due time.

TTD