# Aside from sex, what physical sensation makes you feel good? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 21, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425 "2013-11-21T14:03:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/61 "2013-11-22T04:07:14Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > It’s flattering, I think, because it goes beyond mere acceptance by a being not only a complete stranger but of a different species. Yes. It’s that inter-species relationship that I like. I’ve liked that since I was a child. I really do enjoy relating with other animals, and dogs are pretty darned good at it when you gain their trust. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/62 "2013-11-22T06:16:14Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Another bed-related one: feeling cool air, either from a fan or a nearby open window in the late fall, like now, breezing across my face as I’m all tucked into bed. Also, the accompanying white noise from a fan lulling me to sleep. Anyone else for this one? I know I am not alone on this. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/63 "2013-11-22T07:20:04Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Second this one (plus eleventy). > > I often have dermatitis outbreaks, so what feels really good is not having any. No itchy dry spots, no scratching, no bleeding, just smooth normal skin. I swear, most people don’t know how good they have it. I have a dermatitis/eczema itchy spot on my calf. When it flares up, the sensation from itching it is among the most intensely physically pleasurable I have ever experienced. Very close in level of intensity, although not actual qualitative sensation, to orgasm. Of course there is some suffering associated with it afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/64 "2013-11-22T07:24:11Z")
Several of the sensations listed so far work for me too. Here’s one I haven’t seen mentioned yet. Am I the only one? When I see something that fills some significant part of my visual field with sparkles, I get a visceral tingly sort of dazzled feeling all over. A starry sky on a clear dark night sort of works, but some other sights are even better. Have you ever seen sidewalks made of some sort of dark, near-black concrete that sparkles when the sunlight hits it just right? [Here’s a photo I just found on-line.](http://cache3.asset-cache.net/gc/104517863-walking-feet-sparkly-sidewalk-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=%2B%2BVA8%2BA91fuPZ6TvCbLzYZWgw8ngksTBvGiqQoJbWpU3co2CNvjaOrRb5jjbGniUY1M0eQ44tafEeam9qMtIuA%3D%3D) That does it for me. Also, a [fiber optic lamp](http://www.canadianwholesalenovelties.com/Products/Flashing/fiberlamp2.jpg), seen in a somewhat darkened room, works. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/65 "2013-11-22T10:27:20Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Yes. It’s that inter-species relationship that I like. I’ve liked that since I was a child. I really do enjoy relating with other animals, and dogs are pretty darned good at it when you gain their trust. I love that too. Horses have ways of telling you that as well. One of my favourite things is when you are riding a horse for the first time and you notice him telling you “this field would be really great for a race, are you up for it?” They turn their ears towards you, you feel their body getting ready. Sometimes their feet start doing little hops in anticipation. They’re so big and powerful, but they are _asking_ you. You do it together. Man, that’s such a rush! ---
**Author:** ![Shaggy\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Shaggy\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shaggy_Z)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/66 "2013-11-22T11:22:03Z")
Sneezing ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/67 "2013-11-22T11:26:29Z")
Jabbing myself in the gum line with a toothpick. Deeply. Sometimes a quarter inch of the toothpick comes back bloody. It’s the weirdest combination of tingly-pleasure-pain. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/68 "2013-11-22T13:20:10Z")
I don’t have a particular affinity for wearing tight clothes, but when I do (such as thermal underwear, or a wetsuit) the all-over sensation of constant contact is very appealing. Also, the feeling of relief immediately after releasing a huge fart I never knew was even brewing. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/69 "2013-11-22T13:41:53Z")
The warm sense in my throat when I sip 30 year old single malt whisky. I have a few bottles at home that I bring out on occasion. ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/70 "2013-11-22T14:44:23Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Anyone else for this one? I know I am not alone on this. I like this too. It can make it difficult to fall asleep when I don’t have a fan and/or an open window. Snuggled deep in the waterbed with a light breeze… I thought of another one that any of you female RenFair/reenactors may recognize; a bodice-gasm. It’s the feeling of relaxation/relief of finally loosening your corset/bodice/stays after a long day. If it is followed by a good back scratching… bliss. ---
**Author:** ![orderfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orderfire/32/10908_2.png) [@orderfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orderfire)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/71 "2013-11-22T15:04:47Z")
I discovered this sensation many years ago, after working a long restaurant shift with a friend…on our feet for several hours. We went outside after the shift to sit on the stone wall in the sun, where the pavement below had a light sprinkling of pea-sized gravel and sand left over from winter plowing and sanding. We were both wearing Cons or some other thin-soled sneaker and our feet were tired and sore, so we started rubbing our feet on the gravel and sand-coated blacktop. First lightly, then harder and faster…for both of us (he, a gay male, and me, a straight female), it was an ecstasy heretofore unknown. We had to stop before something embarrassing happened in public. The sensation is a strange combination of pleasure with the teensiest bit of tickle thrown in – and in literally any other situation, I hate being tickled. I love doing it on a low-nap carpet with bare feet too. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/72 "2013-11-22T15:10:01Z")
> [@TheFaerie](#): > > I thought of another one that any of you female RenFair/reenactors may recognize; a bodice-gasm. It’s the feeling of relaxation/relief of finally loosening your corset/bodice/stays after a long day. If it is followed by a good back scratching… bliss. Oh, yes. I almost miss wearing corsets for this reason alone. But you can also get a similar feeling taking off a strapless bra at the end of a long night. ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/73 "2013-11-22T15:20:34Z")
Scratching an itch. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/74 "2013-11-22T15:31:51Z")
Foot rubs. I recently started going for pedicures because I was having the old-person trouble cutting my own toenails (combination of difficulty bending over and extremely hard nails). I like having neat, short nails, and I like the polish, but I LOVE the foot and calf massage that goes along with it. I’d pay the money just for that part. They also put some rough lotion stuff with a minty scent on my legs and rub; ooh. Thrilling. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/75 "2013-11-22T15:38:01Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > When the barber puts hot shaving cream on my neck and straight razors’ it off. Me too. I’m surprised at how many people comment on this one. I looked long and hard for a barbershop that did this right. They recently switched to canned shave cream, so the search in on again. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/76 "2013-11-22T15:44:03Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > Jabbing myself in the gum line with a toothpick. Deeply. Sometimes a quarter inch of the toothpick comes back bloody. It’s the weirdest combination of tingly-pleasure-pain. Yep - similarly when I use the rubber tip or gum pick and hold it in there as long as I can stand it. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/77 "2013-11-22T17:07:09Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > . . . I’ll go with a good scalp massage. My favorite part of a haircut. I’m holding out for a full-on massage. Dammit. I had to stop and make an appointment for tomorrow. > [@gracer](#): > > In our cold, old Welsh holiday cottage, my papa used to sneak up before everyone’s bed time and in each bed he would put a hot water bottle with your PJs wrapped around. That felt so good. That quick undressing in the cold room and slipping on warm PJs as fast as you can. But not just that, because it’s combined with the fact that _someone else_ did it for you. Ooh just imagining that feeling now… that’s about as comforting and safe and cozy as anything can be. > > ETA: “geborgenheid” is the Dutch word I want, but I just can’t translate it. It means… the feeling when your dad makes you a hot water bottle. Pretty much. > > The other thing: when my labrador is asleep and I give her her good night kiss, and I stick my face right in her neck, behind her ears and she smells of sleepy labrador. I love that! Smelly, sleepy labrador. Awwww. That’s wonderful. > [@James\_Toothpaste](#): > > How is that sex? I think it was pointing out that it sounded like a euphemism. Like spanking the monkey. * * * Mmmmm. Mmmassage. Tommmorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/78 "2013-11-22T17:22:05Z")
My dog gives me peticures - she’s very serious and industrious about licking in between my toes. It feels great and I love the way she’s so meticulous and gets great satisfaction from doing it - like I’m doing her a favour. ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/79 "2013-11-22T18:22:19Z")
I don’t particularly enjoy physical exertion. I am pretty ambivalent about the shower after said physical exertion. But there’s something about putting on a NEW, clean pair of socks, after the physical exertion, after the shower, that I cherish. ---
**Author:** ![Tikkimouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@Tikkimouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikkimouse)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/80 "2013-11-22T20:13:13Z")
When I was a dog groomer, one of the regulars loved to lick my ears. Felt better than I would admit to anyone there for fear they’d think I was weird. I sure miss that doggy. I like to lightly brush my fingers across my arms. It’s a lovely, slightly tickly feeling, it is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425.md?page=5)