ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. ASMR is this interesting condition categorized by a feeling of well-being that may include a sensation of tingling on the scalp of your head and down the back of your neck. Some people experience this feeling in response to a specific gentle sound. Many people have created ASMR videos trying to trigger this response from people. What makes you feel this fantastic sensation may be different than others. A range of sounds from whispering voices, scalp massage, loud heartbeat and more may trigger ASMR.

Some common triggers for ASMR include whispering, scratching, tapping, blowing, buzzing, crinkling, and more. Some people don’t experience ASMR from audible cues and may experience ASMR from head and scalp massage. Many people have described ASMR as an auditory braingasm. Imagine your brain having an orgasm that’s what ASMR feels like. One characteristic that seems to be true across all the ASMR experiences is that the sounds are made near the listener. One characteristic of ASMR videos is that the person who is making the noises are in close attention. This may look like someone zoomed into the specific thing they are tapping. Role-playing is often used to create these videos and professional ASMR artists will likely use binaural microphones that make the listener feel as though they are in the room with the ASMR artist. Not all people understand these sensations or get them from listening to random sounds and there is currently little to no scientific research to back ASMR. However, it’s a huge movement and there are hundreds of ASMR artists making videos on huge platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. Some research has gone into understanding why people watch and listen to these ASMR videos. Most participants used the videos to get rid of unnecessary stress and relax. How to Experience ASMR The best way to experience ASMR is when you’re relaxed, possibly laying down on your comfortable bed or couch. Use headphones while listening to the ASMR artists and be open to experiencing anything that pops up. ASMR has helped people sleep better and is said to be relaxing but it’s almost impossible to explain what it feels like to someone who hasn’t experienced it. It’s almost as if you’re trying to explain to someone what water tastes like. How to Unlock Your ASMR Triggers If you’re new to ASMR you’re likely trying to find out if you can experience what others have been chatting about. Unlocking ASMR brain tingling triggers may be easier for some than others. People have different ASMR triggers. Some people may experience the braingasm sensation from visual or physical stimuli. ASMR newbies may not know what their trigger is but by exploring and paying attention they may find it. There are a few different ways you could find your ASMR triggers but a few ways that pop out and have worked for many people are watching the various videos that have ASMR artists making various sounds while being attentive with what’s happening as you hear the various sounds. ASMR in the Media ASMR has blown up! Most major news outlets have covered the topic at least once in the last few years. In 2019, there was an ASMR Super Bowl commercial for Michelob Light starring Zoe Kravitz. There are even ASMR book readings and role-playing is a definite part of an ASMR Artist’s repertoire. It seems as though many industries have tried to incorporate a form of ASMR into its creative avenues. This is true for creative content artists, literary verbal artists, and more. If you haven’t experienced quality ASMR yet, get a quality set of binaural headphone and give it a try. It may be the new tingling way to scratch that emotional itch deep down in your psyche for years to come!