We’ve all heard about it from one place or another. Even if it’s just mentioned briefly, it remains subconsciously in our brain until it is mentioned somewhere the next time. Then we go, hey, I’ve heard of that before! What is that?
I’m talking about ASMR.
What is ASMR?
ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. It is the term that is used to describe a “tingling” sensation that is said to spread from the skull and down the back of the neck as a response to specific audio triggers and/or visual stimuli. It also is said to sometimes spread down the spine or limbs. When people experience ASMR, they describe the feeling as one of pleasantness, with feelings of calm, relaxation, and sleepiness.
What can trigger ASMR?
Not everyone can experience ASMR. What works as a relaxation or calming technique for some doesn’t always necessarily work for others. So far, research on ASMR is scarce. Though it definitely triggers some type of psychological response, more scientific research needs to be done in order to find out more about it. However, the phenomenon has grown exponentially in the past decade, with over 13 million ASMR videos out on the internet today. As the phenomenon grows, the tendency to research will most likely grow.
Different triggers may vary. Some may be affected by one specific trigger and others may be affected by something different. Here are some common triggers:
- whispering/talking softly
- close personal attention
- tapping or typing
- hand movements
- tracing of letters and images
- scratching and crisp sounds
- squishing sounds
- hand movements
What does ASMR help with?
As mentioned earlier, the scientific research on ASMR is in the very early stages. It’s difficult to say if it helps with different ailments or not for sure. However, many people have claimed that it helps them calm down and reduces their anxiety. A couple different peer-reviewed studies were done in 2015 and 2018. In these studies, it was found that people who were watching ASMR videos had a reduced heart rate. These results were actually conducive to other relaxation methods, giving evidence towards ASMR being used to help one relax and stay calm.
Perhaps one day, ASMR will be suggested to help with mental health and anxiety. It surely is a phenomenon that has risen and continues to rise.
For now, it is something that many people seek out in order to relax their mind and enjoy during their leisure time. I say if it’s helping others, keep the videos coming!
Personally, I love ASMR! I have trouble sleeping and find myself awake for hours in the middle of the night. Certain ASMR videos have helped keep my mind off of everything else that is plaguing it. This is because I am concentrating fully on the video. When the video’s point to help relax me and seems to be talking to me, it helps.
ASMR-tists
“ASMR-tist” is the popular term that is used for a person who creates ASMR videos and different triggers. I love finding new “ASMR-tists” and the types of videos they make. Many used the same type of triggers across the board, but how they present them can vary. Every ASMR-tist is different, and finding one whose videos you enjoy will bring you back again and again.
Many ASMR-tists simply sit in front of a camera and speak quietly or simply use different triggers. This could be from tapping lightly on an object, to hand movements, or perhaps writing on a surface. Others could whisper the entire video. Some role-play, such as pretending to be a beautician giving you a makeover or a doctor giving you an eye exam. This gives the video an edge, a theme to play off of rather than just simply presenting triggers. There are some even go all out as to make an entire cinematic masterpiece for a role-play that includes trigger elements throughout the video, while simultaneously being very entertaining.
There are so many talented ASMR-tists out there, on all forms of social media. This can include Instagram, Youtube, Pinterest, etc. Youtube is your best bet to finding the most results. The videos are obviously longer and more detailed rather than a short video.
Everyone is different and finds specific ASMR-tists that they prefer, but I thought I would share 5 that I have returned to multiple times over again. All the ASMR-tists that I will be suggesting in this article can be found on YouTube. They all bring something different to the table, guaranteeing tingles no matter what preferred ASMR trigger.
5 ASMR-tist Suggestions
1. Sophie Michelle ASMR
Sophie Michelle is a wonderful YouTube ASMR-tist that does a variety of videos. She does anything from whispered and hand-movement videos to role-plays to 3-4 hour video compilations. A variety of unique triggers are involved, and she has videos where she uses different objects to make different trigger sounds such as tapping or scratching. These are videos that are made specifically to help with relaxing and falling asleep. They are fabulous and they work, trust me!
2. Gentle Whispering ASMR
Maria is a very soothing ASMR-tist in particular. Her voice is very calming and her hand motions are quite spectacular. Her movements are very methodical and thought out, yet smooth in order to give an extremely relaxing experience. Role plays as well as simply relaxing personal attention videos are included.
3. ALB in Whisperland
ALB’s title truly lives up to her name. Her whispers are so calming, as well as the beautiful tapping sounds she provides in her videos. She’s very good at taking her time to calmly speak as well as creating triggers with the different objects she uses. A common video theme of hers is typing. These create wonderful tapping sounds! Her videos are also so aesthetic and beautiful, which creates a truly pleasant experience.
4. Jocie B ASMR
Jocie B is an ASMR-tist that creates a variety of videos that really concentrate on personal attention, and it works. A unique technique she has is whispering, but whispering at a fast pace while simultaneously using triggers, creating a immersive experience and causing all the tingles. She really concentrates on the triggers, taking her time with each object and making the most wonderful nail tapping sounds!
5. Moonlight cottage Asmr
This woman levels up when it comes to ASMR. Diane’s videos are truly cinematic experiences that create a spectacular immersive world for her audience. We’re talking intros, a full on story where you are the main character, unique triggers, and conclusions. She also does “cozy basics,” which center around tutorials being done in a calm and ASMR-like manner. Her aesthetics all center around the historical and the whimsical. After her videos are done, it will seem as if you just watched an episode of Outlander.
ASMR, in my opinion, is an excellent and creative way to take time for yourself and relax. Everyone is different when it comes to ASMR and what works for them. If you’re new to the phenomenon but want to start exploring the world, I hope this gives you ideas on where to start! If you’re not new, I hope that these artists help widen your horizons and present something new for you! Give these beautiful ASMR-tists a whirl!
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