The one common link between all the fetishes encompassed by BDSM is that they all involve power exchange. Power exchange takes place in all consensual tickling except tickle fights. It can involve bondage, or not.

To me power exchange is giving my power to make choices and rule my own life to someone else, in exchange for them making sure no harm comes to me during that time. On the flip side it is also accepting the power over someone, when they give it.

Power exchange comes on many levels: anything from letting someone pin an arm above your head and tickle a side, to being totally in their control all the time (also known as 24/7). For most this exchange only lasts for the length of a session. This does not mean they have complete control over you, just they can control what you have let them control. For instance, you don’t have to let them undress you if that is outside the realm of the control you want the tickler to have.

In tickle fights, the only power exchange present is if one gets pinned and accepts they aren’t going to escape, and give the tickler at the time the silent agreement to let them do what they want (to an extent).

For me this exchange is what elevates tickling from a fun past time that arouses me slightly into something exhilarating and unique. Having that power over someone is more of a high than any drug I've ever done or had described to me, and giving it is more of a release.

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