The Tingles
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, but don't let that overwhelm you. When you were a child, you may have called this feeling "the chills," "the shivers" or "tingles." ASMR is that tingly feeling that starts in your head and neck and travels down your back, sometimes radiating out to your limbs as well. It feels good and can be both relaxing and invigorating.
ASMR can be brought on by a variety of triggers that vary from person to person. Some common triggers are whispers, crinkly sounds, tapping and personal attention (e.g. hair cuts). Although there is evidence that suggests people have long experienced ASMR (especially from whispers combined with personal attention), it has only recently become a subject of scientific study. This is due to increased interest online, where a group of people who found the experience pleasant began creating content to induce ASMR.
Now that ASMR-inducing videos are so readily available, those looking to relieve stress, relax, and combat insomnia have a no-cost, drug-free way to do so. A calm, quiet environment and headphones are a must -- high quality headphones make the experience even better.
ASMR can be brought on by a variety of triggers that vary from person to person. Some common triggers are whispers, crinkly sounds, tapping and personal attention (e.g. hair cuts). Although there is evidence that suggests people have long experienced ASMR (especially from whispers combined with personal attention), it has only recently become a subject of scientific study. This is due to increased interest online, where a group of people who found the experience pleasant began creating content to induce ASMR.
Now that ASMR-inducing videos are so readily available, those looking to relieve stress, relax, and combat insomnia have a no-cost, drug-free way to do so. A calm, quiet environment and headphones are a must -- high quality headphones make the experience even better.
A Way to Relax
Many people recognize painter Bob Ross (who taught people to paint in his PBS show The Joy of Painting) as one of the first, if also unwitting, ASMRtists (i.e. ASMR artist). Viewers were drawn to his intimate demeanor, soothing voice, and positive attitude, much in the same way that people seek out ASMR videos today on Youtube. Whatever your preference for triggers, watching and listening can help you relax for a variety of purposes; to counterbalance stress, to overcome insomnia, to ease symptoms of depression or anxiety, or even to help alleviate chronic pain.
A 2015 study of 475 people who listen to or view ASMR videos revealed the reasons that participants sought out ASMR:
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Bob Ross Photo credit: Haiden Goggin, Flickr
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The study results suggest that ASMR "provides temporary relief in mood for those suffering from depression," and that people "suffering from symptoms of chronic pain also benefitted from ASMR, seeing a significant reduction in their discomfort for several hours following an ASMR session" (emphasis added). The authors also note that ASMR closely resembles mindfulness practices, "which have already been shown by several studies to have positive effect on both conditions" (Barratt and Davis, p.11).
An Alternative to Meditation
Meditation and other forms of mindfulness practices have been shown to improve health in numerous ways, but some people have a hard time developing a meditative practice. This requires dedication and the learning curve can be frustrating -- quite a discouraging result for someone making an effort to deal with stress. If this sounds like you, ASMR could provide you with some of the same benefits of meditation, and all you need is a quiet space and an ASMR video. Self care is an important part of life, and we believe that everyone should take the time to recharge at least once or twice per week. Engaging in ASMR, whether you get the tingles or simply enjoy the relaxation without them, is one way that you can put your mental health first.
A Way to Focus
Perhaps one of the overlooked or less common uses of ASMR is by those who need to concentrate. Whether you are a student who wants a calm state to study, or a professional looking to get into the creative flow at work, ASMR videos can help by providing a soft soundscape of white noise that drowns out the commotion of everyday life around you and facilitates a calm and focused working mindset. For this purpose, we suggest triggers such as tapping, nature sounds or crinkles; whispers can be distracting to some people in this context.
Further Reading
Ready to discover more?
- We highly recommend the 2015 study mentioned above, which is the first (perhaps the only) study of ASMR from a neuro-scientific perspective. Citation: Barratt and Davis (2015), PeerJ, DOI 10.7717/peerj.851. https://peerj.com/articles/851.pdf
- This website promotes ASMR understanding and research. https://asmruniversity.com/
LoveNirds Massage ASMR
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