Hello! So, I’ve just recently learned a bit about the ASMR phenomenon. Yeah, I am obviously behind. ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a calming sensation induced by sights and sounds. There are a ton of ASMR videos online. I have yet to find any that seem to affect me but I am super fascinated by this. There have even been studies done that suggest that people who experience ASMR’s brains may even work differently than those who don’t- the areas related to the visual network, for instance, become most stimulated during these “experiences” whereas those who don’t experience it have many areas of the brain fluctuating together, in a relatively equal amount. ANYWAY, I was just curious to see if any of you have had any of these experiences and what were they? How does ASMR make you feel? TLDR; Are there any noises or visuals that give you the tingles?
ASMR videos, especially those eating ones, make me cringe and are really weird. Along with those “you’ve been kidnapped” roleplaying ASMR’s.?♀️ ASMR in general is an odd thing. I don’t experience ASMR, at least I don’t think I do, but some of those videos are calming and can help you if you can’t fall asleep. Also lowkey enjoy those doing your makeup or hair ASMR’s, k. I had like no idea what ASMR was until like earlier this year.
Kidnap roleplaying and ASMR seem like really contradictory things so, when I heard that, I was like... wat. Haha But, yeah, I agree. While I haven't really experienced anything for myself, I can see the calming videos benefiting some but the eating videos and stuff just make me uncomfortable; the opposite effect. Haha
Do you watch any videos or have a sleep sound app or anything like that to induce these sounds or do you just feel relaxed when you hear them naturally?
When I hear them naturally. I've tried listening to 10hours videos of waves on YouTube but it just doesn't feel the same
That makes sense! Maybe, for you, it is more than just the sound but maybe the whole experience that relaxes you?
Oh maaaan. I love ASMR. I have APD as well as frequent tinnitus, so even without the tingles, ASMR is a great thing for me. I actually discovered a new tingle last night! It was weird, and I only had it when the sound was smooth, but chalk on a chalkboard. Along with that, things like paper (esp. crunchier sounds), kissing/some mouth sounds, mic brushing, “hair” brushing, and certain tapping can give me tingles through audio. I also get visual tingles that can happen from pretty much any hand movement, but I love gentler and slower movements. Fast ones scare me lol.
Actually, it could just be the sound. Many simulated wave sounds have a lot of white noise to make them, and that an actually cause the complete opposite reaction if the person doesn’t enjoy white noise since it can be quite static-y
It is really cool to know that ASMR, something as simple and natural as sound or visual stimulation, can help with physical ailments. That is amazing and I am really glad that you have been able to use it to your benefit! Oh, that is good to know! I had no idea!
Warmth mentioned that simulated sounds often have white noise added so you are probably right! I am learning more and more about this stuff the more I listen.
Yeah, ASMR can help a crap ton with my APD and such. For instance, I had a really long lecture class last semester, and have some this semester, which would overwhelm me quite a bit because I really struggle with processing information that way, so after class I’d pop in some headphones at the library in a comfy cushioned chair lol and listen to no talking videos with slower sounds so I can actually refocus myself on sound.
Do you think there is a potential for ASMR to be used for more than anxiety in that way? Like, do you think someone could manipulate the way the sounds/visuals affect their brain and body to use it to help with other things? The brain is very powerful and connects everything else in the human body and I wonder if something like this can be used to help with things like processing information, focus and self control. You seem very familiar with ASMR- what do you think?
Yeah, the sounds and visuals associated with asthma really resonate deeply with me. Wheezing touches my soul.
Oh, of course! For someone like me, asmr helps with my anxiety AND my processing of information through audio. Since asmr normally includes whispering or soft talking (im not including videos with layered sounds!), people who have difficult processing audio, such as myself, can handle softer talking without layered sounds or other speaking. For instance, one of my professors would voice record lectures at home/meet with me and talk quietly and take breaks through that for me because he knew I struggled with the subject and would’ve likely failed by just listening to loud and long lectures that I couldn’t understand at times simply because of processing issues.
That is so cool! I am going to keep swimming through videos and hope I can find something that has that effect for me. Also, your professor is awesome for going above and beyond by adapting his teaching methods to your learning style. Very cool!
ASMR is my antidote for my insomnia. I enjoy certain whispers, shampoo sounds, and certain eating sounds. It really helps me sleep