Exploring the Soothing Phenomenon of ASMR

Imagine you're in a quiet library. You hear a page turning, someone gently typing on a keyboard, the soft crinkle of a snack wrapper. You can hear a pencil being sharpened and the click of a pen. For some, this might sound like a nightmare, but for others, a relaxing symphony of sound that might trigger a soothing, tingling sensation in the brain. If you're on social media, chances are you've heard of ASMR or have come across an "ASMRtist". Whispering, tapping, writing, chewing—the content well runs deep with this one, with niches far beyond your imagination. Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a term used to describe the sensation of brain tingling that some people get in response to certain stimuli. The feeling occurs in the crown of the head and promotes a feeling of relaxation. While everyone experiences its effects differently, ASMR enthusiasts find the greatest appeal in the benefits of better relaxation and sleep. There are three types of ASMR stimuli: Some individuals may experience the sensation of ASMR from all three types, but some stimuli are more likely than others to trigger a response. Auditory ASMR: Auditory ASMR appears to be the most popular form, evidenced by the impressive number of ASMRtists across the internet. Whispering is very popular and the most accessible, along with other sounds from the mouth like chewing, drinking and blowing air. Auditory ASMR is likely the most diverse, with ASMRtists offering relaxing hearing tests, product unboxings, health examinations, cooking tutorials and more. It seems anything people do on the internet—done quietly—has the potential to become a valuable market in the ASMR community. One woman on Tik Tok made an ASMR video of her opening and cooking a can of spaghetti-o's. Yes, it's that easy. Visual ASMR: Visual ASMR is the next most popular with videos depicting smooth movements and relaxing images. Mixing paint and cutting bars of soap have proved to be satisfying for ASMR enthusiasts. Other examples include coloring, object manipulation, puzzle solving and soothing animations. I think it's important to note that many of these visual triggers are also accompanied by auditory stimuli—the scratch of a marker on paper perhaps. Tactile ASMR: Tactile ASMR is physical and often triggered with soft touches and movements. Examples of tactile stimulation are tapping on a keyboard, light scratching and soft brushing. Tactile stimulation is convenient in not requiring technology to achieve the desired sensation. This niche market has expanded to include tactile ASMR sessions where an ASMRtist will use certain tools and objects to induce various sensations for the client. The Psychology of ASMR: ASMR is not a widely studied phenomenon, but scientists find the closest association to awe-induced chills. An article from the National Library of Medicine, "More than a feeling: ASMR is characterized by reliable changes in affect and physiology," illustrates the similarities and differences between the two. The distinction comes from the physiological response. Awe- or music-induced chills are often accompanied by an increased heart rate, respiration rate, respiratory depth and skin conductance. ASMR, on the other hand, is considered to be relaxing, and is used as a sleep aid more than a source of excitement and entertainment; this suggests that it would likely reduce the previously listed symptoms. However, the parallels between the two support the idea that ASMR is characterized by a strong emotional response to certain sensory stimuli. There are many hypotheses as to what creates this response (memories, personality traits, psychological predispositions) but with the research in its infancy, the answer is unknown. As public interest in ASMR increases, it is timely for scientists to begin investigating any psychological and physiological benefits that ASMR may provide, especially with the current mental health crisis. While many individuals are already self-soothing with ASMR media, research development could lead to further findings on sensory experiences and stress management strategies.