Touch is Really Strange

We cannot tickle ourselves, slow touch conveys more powerful emotions than fast touch, and touch shapes our perception of the world. This science-based graphic comic explores the complexity of touch and its power and limits, revealing how it can change pain and trauma, communicate compassion and love, and generate social bonding.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 32 pages
\n Publication date: 21 April 2021
\n Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
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Why can't we tickle ourselves?

Touch is a complex and fascinating sensory experience that plays a crucial role in our lives. It can convey a wide range of emotions, from pleasure and joy to pain and discomfort. Despite our ability to touch ourselves, we cannot tickle ourselves, which has led to many questions and theories about why this is the case.

One theory suggests that the ability to tickle ourselves is related to the development of our sense of self-awareness. According to this theory, we develop a sense of self-awareness as we grow older and become more aware of our bodies and the sensations they experience. This sense of self-awareness allows us to recognize when someone else is touching us, but it does not necessarily allow us to recognize the sensation of our own touch.

Another theory suggests that the ability to tickle ourselves is related to the development of our sensory systems. According to this theory, our sensory systems are designed to detect and respond to external stimuli, but they are not designed to detect and respond to internal stimuli. This is why we cannot tickle ourselves, as our sensory systems are not able to detect the sensation of our own touch.

A third theory suggests that the ability to tickle ourselves is related to the development of our motor systems. According to this theory, our motor systems are designed to move our bodies in response to external stimuli, but they are not designed to move our bodies in response to internal stimuli. This is why we cannot tickle ourselves, as our motor systems are not able to detect the sensation of our own touch.

Despite these theories, the exact reason why we cannot tickle ourselves is still not fully understood. However, it is clear that touch plays a crucial role in our lives and that understanding the mechanisms behind it can help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.

How can slow touch convey more powerful emotions than fast touch?

Touch is a powerful sensory experience that can convey a wide range of emotions. Slow touch, in particular, has been shown to convey more powerful emotions than fast touch. This is because slow touch allows us to fully engage with our bodies and the sensations they experience, which can lead to a deeper emotional connection.

One of the reasons why slow touch can convey more powerful emotions is that it allows us to pay more attention to the details of the touch. When we touch something slowly, we have more time to notice the texture, temperature, and pressure of the object. This can create a more sensory-rich experience that can be more emotionally stimulating.

Another reason why slow touch can convey more powerful emotions is that it allows us to connect with our bodies on a deeper level. When we touch something slowly, we can feel the sensation of our own body moving in response to the touch. This can create a sense of embodied consciousness that can be very powerful and emotionally fulfilling.

Slow touch can also be used to create a sense of intimacy and connection. When we touch someone slowly and with intention, we can create a sense of vulnerability and openness that can lead to a deeper emotional connection. This can be particularly important in romantic relationships, where slow touch can be used to create a sense of intimacy and trust.

In addition to its emotional benefits, slow touch has also been shown to have physical benefits. Slow touch has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve blood flow

How does touch shape our perception of the world?

Touch is a fundamental sensory experience that plays a crucial role in shaping our perception of the world. It is through touch that we gain knowledge of the physical world, interact with others, and develop our sense of self. Touch is a complex sensory system that involves multiple receptors and pathways in the brain, body, and environment.

One of the primary ways that touch shapes our perception of the world is through its ability to convey information. Touch receptors in the skin and other body parts send signals to the brain, which interprets these signals and creates a perception of the world. For example, when we touch a hot object, we perceive it as hot because the heat receptors in our skin send signals to the brain, which interprets these signals and creates a perception of heat. Similarly, when we touch a soft object, we perceive it as soft because the pressure receptors in our skin send signals to the brain, which interprets these signals and creates a perception of softness.

Touch also plays a crucial role in social interaction and communication. Through touch, we can convey emotions, such as love, affection, and anger. We can also use touch to communicate non-verbally, such as through gestures and body language

The latest addition to the Really Strange series, this science-based graphic comic addresses these questions and more, revealing the complexity of touch and exploring its power and limits. Used positively, touch can change pain and trauma, communicate compassion and love and generate social bonding. Get it wrong and it can be abusive and terrifying.

Touch helps us feel real. Knowledge comes through our body as we engage with space and with others. Before we have language, our concepts are formed as we meet a world full of edges and textures.

Touch is Really Strange celebrates the power of inward touch (interoception) and looks at how we can use skilful contact to promote feelings of joy, connection and vitality.

\n Weight: 142g\n
Dimension: 171 x 229 x 10 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781787757103\n
Edition number: Illustrated ed\n