The Science of Self-Tickling

Have you ever tried to tickle yourself? It simply doesn't work.

Tickling is a complex reaction involving both the nervous system and the brain.

The secret behind this mystery lies in a brain region called the cerebellum.

This area is responsible for monitoring our movements and predicting their sensory outcomes.

When you move your hand to your side, the cerebellum anticipates the impact.

Your brain already knows exactly where, when, and how the touch will feel.

It uses a forward model to cancel out the self-generated sensory signal. This phenomenon is

known as sensory attenuation, a filter for predictable information. Without this filter,