Why do my toes "curl" with pleasure?

Tblue · January 28, 2003, 12:02pm

A friend of mine pointed it out to me, when I was eating.
He said: “You must really like that - your toes are curling!”

Yes, I was really enjoying the taste (rich chocolate icecream! Mmm!) - but why heckity would that make my toes curl? I’ve noticed it on other pleasurable occasions since. (I don’t think it’s a conscious action.)

So what is this? Some primordial reflex? A lingering “baby” behaviourism? Is it just me?

WordMan · January 28, 2003, 12:57pm

I had an incredibly tacky Environmental Sciences prof - who spent his off hours scamming on co-eds - proclaim that one’s toes curl during orgasm due to the genetic primate memory of needing to hold on to something when having sex in a tree.

No, I am not kidding. No, I don’t know if it is true. And no, I don’t know if sharing that “fact” got him in with the co-eds…

Lagged2Death · January 28, 2003, 2:12pm

But it’s not everyone either. I know someone whose toes curl in response to sensual pleasures as you describe, but mine don’t.

ultrafilter · January 30, 2003, 1:29am

I’ve found that if I curl my toes about 100 times, I start to feel a pleasurable sensation in my groin. No explanation, but it’s interesting.

Qadgop_the_Mercotan · January 30, 2003, 1:33am

Ooooh, you’re so bad, ultrafilter! Trying to get hundreds of dopers to curl until their feet cramp up! Shame!

ultrafilter · January 30, 2003, 1:34am

Well…

That’s an unintended possible benefit.

Nonetheless, I was being entirely serious when I wrote that. Any idea what’s going on?

Qadgop_the_Mercotan · January 30, 2003, 1:59am

Endorphins. That’s my one size fits all answer for oddball physiology questions.

mangeorge · January 30, 2003, 2:04am

Let’s stop, my toes are getting tired.
Peace,
mangeorge

The_Controvert · January 30, 2003, 2:06am

Wow, I get a pleasurable sensation in my groin after about 3 curls.

Dragonblink · January 30, 2003, 2:23am

I just get a foot cramp. No fair.

Essured · January 30, 2003, 2:31am

Mr Goo and I have wondered about this often. I don’t do it at all, but he does it regularly. Particularly when he’s getting very close to an orgasm.

BeatenMan · January 30, 2003, 3:30am

T.G.I.F Toes go in first. When you really get turned on do you get hammer toe? If you are gay do you get bunions? Must be from all the “This little piggie went to.”.

chique · January 30, 2003, 3:40am

My toes splay when…um.

Yeah.

Go ahead and 'splain THAT one, Dr. Endorphin Man.

Um.

Bye.

toadspittle · January 30, 2003, 7:42pm

Is this reflex related at all to the “kneading” reflex of cats? (i.e., adult cats often flex their paws when being petted, etc., in theory b/c the same kneading paw movements of kittens against the mother cat’s belly increases lactation).

Here, first link I found:

http://www.planetpet.com/cats.htm

Why does my cat knead?
When my cat comes and gets on my lap, he frequently extends his claws, digging them into my thigh with an alternating rhythmic motion. I call this rather painful ritual the “happy dance,” but most people know this behavior as “kneading.” Kneading is a behavior that is a remnant from kittenhood. It is sometimes called “milk tread” because it is done during nursing. As the kitten suckles at the mother’s teat, it extends its legs and performs this kneading motion on the area around the teat.
_
Dr. Heine says, “Kneading the breast promotes faster flow of milk”; therefore, this behavior is often used when milk is not flowing from the teat as fast as the animal can drink. It is speculated that as adults, the behavior is continued as a form of comfort when the animal is feeling safe and happy, so the next time your cat does the “happy dance” for you, remember that he may be associating the comfort and happiness that he gets from you with happy memories of time with his mother.

So keep that in mind next time you’re … um … doing the “happy dance.”