Why Can't You Tickle Yourself? Your Brain Actually Prevents It From Happening

This Discover Magazine article explores why tickling yourself is difficult and how the brain prevents it. The brain predicts self-induced touch, reducing sensory signals through a process called sensory attenuation. This helps distinguish between self-generated and external sensations. While most people can't tickle themselves, some can under certain conditions, like time delays or spatial perturbations. The most ticklish body parts include the soles of the feet, armpits, neck, and sides of the torso. Tickling is a form of social play with a hint of fear, and it remains a relatively understudied topic with many unanswered questions.