📩 ASMR: The Science Behind the Calming Sensation

ASMR, short for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is a sensation characterized by a static-like or tingling feeling on the skin that typically starts at the scalp and moves down to the back of the neck and upper spine. It is triggered by specific auditory or visual stimuli and is often accompanied by a combination of positive feelings and low-grade euphoria.

ASMR has gained popularity in recent years, with numerous videos available on the internet that intentionally seek to trigger the sensation in viewers. However, not everyone can experience ASMR, and some may find it uncomfortable or even unpleasant.

The ASMR boom started in 2007, but many people are still unaware of its existence. It was popularized in a Netflix series called Follow This, in which a lady explored the phenomenon and showed some great examples of how it works in real life. The show explains that ASMR triggers can be encountered through daily interactions, with stimuli that can be auditory or visual. Some examples of ASMR triggers include softly spoken or whispering voices, repetitive sounds, personal attention, and conscious stimulation.

Softly spoken or whispering voices are a particularly effective trigger, with psychologists Nick Davis and Emma Barratt discovering in an experiment that whispering was effective in triggering ASMR in 75% of the 475 participants.

Quiet, repetitive sounds such as the sound of rain or turning the pages of a book can also trigger ASMR. Watching someone attentively executing a mundane task, such as preparing food, or listening to someone talk about a specific topic or describe a situation can also trigger ASMR. Personal attention, such as physical touch or having one’s hair cut or washed, can also trigger ASMR. Finally, conscious stimulation, such as listening to someone talk about a specific topic, can also trigger ASMR.

Some people may find that loud sounds, such as chewing or crunching, are uncomfortable or unpleasant and do not trigger ASMR. Nonetheless, there are numerous videos available on the internet that intentionally seek to trigger ASMR in viewers, categorized into intentional and unintentional media. Check the entire article to learn more!

Let’s Talk About ASMR Sounds! It can Calm your Brain!

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Thaisa Fernandes

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