More people are turning to all natural treatments to help with their symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia. ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is one of the latest trends for at-home therapy and relaxation.
By Amanda Jowsey
From simulated roleplay experiences like virtual haircuts to tattoo appointments, ASMRtists on YouTube are perfecting the art of making you tingle. And no, it's not pornographic-- although, there are some lines that can be crossed (but, that's a whole nother article).
An ASMR response is a soothing physical, mental and emotional response to pleasant external visual or auditory stimuli. It's most often described as a tingling sensation that starts in the scalp and travels down the back of the neck and spine.
This feeling promotes mental relaxation, a reduction in anxiety, and a feeling of safety and contentment. I use it to fall asleep all the time when my brain is a hyperactive mess. @TingTingASMR is my favorite artist. Her videos work like a charm every time.
ASMR Triggers
My first experiences with ASMR were early on in life, when my dad would brush my hair after a bath, watching Bob Ross or listening to my fourth grade librarian teach a lesson. It immediately elicits feelings of comfort, protection and sleepiness.
First coined in 2010 by a woman now known as the founder of ASMR, Jennifer Allen, this term seemed to legitimize a very unique feeling that was hard to explain to anyone and that wasn't experienced by everyone.
The most common ASMR triggers for those who experience the phenomenon include whispering or soothing voices, gentle tapping or scratching sounds, soothing physical touch and personal attention (massages, haircuts, a comfortable physical exam, an embrace, getting your nails done), eating, and page turning. There are a wide range of triggers that vary from person to person and it’s not necessarily specific or replicable.
But is the science behind this phenomenon legit?
An article in the Journal of Trends in Cognitive Sciences summarized ASMR as “sounds that feel like touch.” Their study suggests that the “anatomical and functional links” between auditory and sensory processing form the basis of ASMR. “People enjoy a sense of touch from auditory (and often audiovisual) stimuli,” the article explained.
According to the National Institutes of Health, “ASMR is easy to use, and appropriate for wellness purposes on a wide range of people.” New studies matched other similar findings that ASMR videos or experiences cause a decrease in heart rate, feelings of joy, safety and comfort—all of which can benefit anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Another study found that those who get these tingles tend to have higher levels of anxiety, or histories with insomnia than those who do not experience the sensation. Interestingly, it also seems that most of the videos involve personal attention, affection or caretaking scenarios. Is it possible that ASMR is a biological response entwined with our inner children, with our need to feel safe and secure?
Craig Richard, PhD from Shenandoah University in Virginia has been documenting and researching the phenomenon. He founded ASMR University, a website dedicated to his studies. Richard speculates that the feeling is related to parent-infant bonding.
During ASMR, he said, the body releases endorphins which bind with receptors that are “best known for inhibiting pain while also stimulating pleasure, relaxation and sedation.”
Ultimately, ASMR may trigger these core experiences that formed our sense of safety and comfort as children.
Further research is needed to understand it fully, especially in relation to sleep, anxiety and depression. But it seems that the online world is on board with using this as a new method of coping with the extreme stress we feel day to day.
Millions of ASMR roleplay videos can be found online, depicting anything from a pampering spa day to a face painting session. Give it a try. Find your favorite triggers and see what gives you the tingles.
Read more about Dr. Richard here.
Read more about the History of ASMR
Comments