Knismolagnia: Why Some People Get Turned on by Tickling
It's pretty straightforward for me: it feels fantastic. Every nerve ending in my body is energized when I'm tickled.
My first memories of erotics? I'm getting tickled.
When I was three years old, I recall squealing, avoiding hands, and eventually giving in to The Tickle Monster's demands after shimmying into a pair of Mickey Mouse underwear after bathing. I then ran around the upstairs of my parent's house.
And as I grew older and my buddies began sharing their first sexual experiences that were splooge-, splendour-, and sex-filled, I would respond solemnly, "Dude, I refuse to believe that that feels better than getting your back tickled."
I therefore experienced the same epiphany when I heard the word "queer" for the first time last year when I learnt about "knismolagnia."
What Is Knismolagnia, Exactly?
A long, complex word for tickling fetish is knismolagnia. Daniel Saynt, founder and chief conspirator of NSFW, a secret members club for sex and cannabis-positive millennials, adds that the term "knismophilia" or "titillagnia" is also used to describe this phenomenon:
Someone who gets (sexual) pleasure from being tickled, seeing someone else get tickled, or being The Tickle Monster (also known as tickling someone else) is said to have knismolagnia.
"Ler" and "Lee" are also frequently referred to as ticklers or tickles among knismophiliacs. "Tickle top" and "tickle bottom" are also used.
It's commonly regarded as a form of sensation play. Saynt claims that because foot fetishes and armpit worship are very ticklish, there is sometimes some overlap between them and knismolagnia. Because it's nearly difficult to control oneself during a tickling session, "people who are into squirting or puss play may also explore tickling."
A sexual fixation on a particular act (or object) that is required for one to feel sexual fulfilment is known as a fetish. Therefore, it is quite conceivable that a person with knismolagnia will not be able to enjoy sexual pleasure if tickling is not included.
Saynt claims that this is relatively uncommon, though. Knismolagnia is more of a preference for some people, including me. In other words, while they appreciate tickling and adore it when it occurs during a sexual experience, it is not a prerequisite for climax and pleasure.
How Many Are Into Erotic Tickling?
There's no way to tell how frequent knismolagnia—or any kink or fetish—is, given the paucity of study on human sexuality and the Census's failure to ask about sexual ~proclivities~ (which, to be clear, I'm not complaining about).
There are people (besides me!) who enjoy tickling, as evidenced by the fact that some videos in Porn Hub's "tickle fetish" search results have had over half a million views.
"A growing portion of the BDSM community engages in bondage and tickling," Saynt continues. Implying that many people do not necessarily consider themselves to be knismophiles.
Where Does Knismolagnia Come From?
The origin of a fetish is a mystery to everyone. According to Domme Kat, a Denver-based Domme and a cruel little brat who will stop at nothing to obtain what she wants, fetishes can emerge from our experiences growing up, discovering our sexuality, and generally from watching bodies and sexuality portrayed in TV, movies, and other media. Or all three in combination.
Since I can remember, I have found myself pulled to, captivated by, and interested in being tickled.
When tickling was somehow incorporated into their Sexy Time, some people may have developed a tickling desire. For example, your partner makes fun of you while you're watching a TV show with a backdrop tickling scenario that happens at random—or having the finest sex of your life after a tickling argument with your partner.
According to several experts, developing a fetish for an object may require a partner to introduce it to you as sexual. For example, a person who is dating someone who has a tickling fetish may discover that they enjoy having sex with someone who tickles them.
Why Can Tickling Be Arousing?
It's pretty straightforward for me: it feels fantastic. Every nerve ending in my body is energized when I'm tickled. It's comparable to my favourite sex toy, the Wartenburg Wheel, but much more intense. Some haemophiliacs, whether or not their clothing is taken off, can experience orgasm only from the tickling sensation, but I can't. Have fun!
According to Domme Kat, many people are more interested in the laughing that tickling elicits than in the tickling itself. "Laughing makes us feel good because it releases endorphins and hormones," she says.
Others focus on the power struggle. In other words, I'll tease you till you can't take it any more. Or I'll tickle you until you urinate. "Tickling someone is like holding a Magic Wand against their body and making them orgasm in some ways," Domme Kat explains. Is anyone up for an orgasm?
Tickling is frequently coupled with bondage because the body's natural reaction to it is to writhe and want to escape—we want to get away from that sensation since it makes us uncontrollable. "The person being tickled may have a very subby experience if rope and blindfolds are combined," Domme Kat says. For this reason, sensual tickling is sometimes referred to as tickle torture.
What might motivate someone to experiment with tickling until it becomes excruciating? According to Saynt, "the combination of restraint and teasing can greatly increase your release of dopamine, as your brain releases chemicals similar to its response to threat, our fight or flight reflex." Hi there, hormones of joy!
How to Explore Erotic Tickling
Self-tickling might not appeal if your interest in tickling is motivated by a desire to lose control.
However, suppose you're not in a relationship. In that case, it's a good idea to start by exploring teasing and tickling sensations with your nail, a feather tickler, a Wartenberg Wheel, the tale end of a flogger, or any of the devices and gadgets in the KinkLab Agent Noir Electro Erotic Neon Wand Kit.
"If you like the Wartenberg wheel, you can switch to an electric one, which combines electrostimulation with the classic sensation," Saynt continues. "Alternatively, try using an electric stimulator wand."
You need to discuss with your partner whether you want to be the Lee or the Ler, ideally when you're fully and completely clothed.
Even if you might not have had this as a child, erotica tickling necessitates constant and passionate agreement from all participants.
Here are a few ways to bring it up:
- "I think being restrained while you tickle my back could be incredibly sexy, and I truly enjoy the sensation." Do you think you might like that?
- "I think it could be enjoyable to try sexual tickling and the Wartenberg wheel, a sex toy, together after reading an article about it recently. Would you believe it?
- "Are you aware that we have been experimenting with bondage? Combining that with some sensation play, like tickling, might be incredibly hot, in my opinion.
Expect your spouse to ask you questions! You ought to be able to respond: What makes you feel attracted to tickling? What about the laughs, for example? Is it about "taking" or losing control? Is it the feeling in your body? Does it include "torture"?
If a partner is unsure about their tickling preferences, keep teaching them. However, you should never come across as attempting to persuade them to give it a try.
Start by deciding how the scene will appear if your partner wants to explore this with you—yes, even if bondage isn't going to be a part of it! Make a safe term that you like!
Choose whether to employ bondage and constraints. Which body parts are acceptable or unacceptable? Will they tease you using their hands, tools, or toys?
If you're single or your boyfriend isn't interested, you may hire a dominatrix to tickle you. Or to educate your significant other on how to tickle you erotically.
Is Knismolagnia Safe?
It depends on your definition of "safe." There is a far lower risk of STIs because tickling doesn't involve nudity, genital banging, or bodily fluids, according to Domme Kat.
"Being tickled can trigger your fight or flight response, so many times someone is going to react unexpectedly," Saynt explains. He says, "Uncontrollable kicks or surprise punches are very common when tickling your partner." Make sure to include bondage in your tickle-play to get ready for this.
Additionally, he advises against obstructing airways while tickling. "You should avoid incorporating anything that hinders your partner's ability to breathe into this kind of play." It makes sense!
As with any play, Saynt advises, "Listen to your partner and pay attention to safe words." "In this kind of play, it's crucial to stop when your partner says to."
