By Mia Wang
Banner News Staff Writer
Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a term used for an experience characterized by a static-like or tingling sensation on the skin that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. It has been compared with auditory-tactile synesthesia. It is a pleasurable feeling that’s relaxing. ASMR is also known as AIHO (attention induced head orgasm) or AIE (attention induced euphoria).
When you first start to listen or watch ASMR videos, you might be thinking: Why is this person whispering at me? What is he/she doing? This is so cringy. Actually, there is more than one form of ASMR videos. Some of my favorites are: ear picking, food eating, and hand movement. Before you call me a freak, let’s me explain ASMR in a more understood way.
It’s a calming, relaxing, tingly feeling people get when it’s triggered. I will give a simple example, when someone play with your hair or give you a scalp massage, it sends a static-like relaxing feeling down to your body. That’s ASMR.
ASMR videos on the Internet can give you that exact feeling, only better, because they are more accessible, convenient, and private than asking somebody to play with your hair. Those videos’ purposes are to trigger ASMR and make people relaxed and fall asleep quicker. If you have trouble sleeping, anxiety issues, or get stressed easily, ASMR videos can help you tremendously.
I remember the first time I experienced ASMR is when I was in middle school and started to get into makeup and beauty videos. I watched a makeup tutorial with smoothing background music. The hand movement, the detail work the girl in the video was doing on her face sent a tingly sensation start form the top of my head and spread to my whole body. At that time, I didn’t quite understand what that was. So I thought I was the only weirdo who got that sensation by watching a makeup video. Not until 2 years ago, I studied the scientific facts behind ASMR, I finally be able to explain that feeling I got when I was younger.
ASMR can be triggered through multiple ways; everyone has his or her own preferences. So if you are new to ASMR, and haven’t found your triggers yet, don’t be frustrated. I will list some video suggestions below that hopefully, can help you with finding your personalized ASMR.
A lot of people experience ASMR, but some of us don’t. For “ASMR-immune” people, ASMR videos can still be helpful, because the gentle speaking and subtle movement give out a calming, relaxing, eased vibe. So, when you come home form a long study/work day and try to fall into a deep, quick sleep. ASMR videos are excellent choices.
ASMR overall is magical, wonderful and relaxing. That’s why it has a nickname: brain orgasm. The main idea of watching ASMR videos is to keep an open mind. When you start to get into them, you will often find yourself in another dimension. You will feel you are the only person in the world and all the pressure and stress are far from you in another world.
Here are some ASMR video reconditions. Hopefully, they can help you find your triggers, more importantly, help you relax.