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You might have seen one of the thousands of videos about ASMR on YouTube or Instagram. Although ASMR has become somewhat of a wide-spread trend in the last few years, there is some real science behind it and it can really relax you. Here we tell you everything you need to know.
ASMR or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is a huge trend. In fact, there are more searches for ASMR on YouTube than for candy or chocolate! ASMR is one of the ingredients in our tonics, but what is it? And how can it help you relax?
What is ASMR?
Coined in 2010, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a relaxing, often sedative sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the body triggered by specific sounds. It’s been compared to the chills you get when someone plays with your hair, scratches your head or traces their fingertips on your head or back, and is said to start at the head and spread to the spine.
Sometimes referred to as literal “Mind Massage,” ASMR is triggered by listening to hushed voices, white noise and other binaural sonic-triggers – such as tapping, scratching, and whispering, all of which generate a tingling feeling or goosebumps, which many find really relaxing.
The experience is largely unstudied among researchers and mental health professionals. But with more than 13 million ASMR videos on YouTube from creators all around the world, ASMR clearly has an effect.
How can ASMR help me manage stress?
What’s more, many people claim the effects of ASMR help them with their overall mental health and ASMR has been widely reported to relieve insomnia, anxiety, migraines and panic attacks. It’s also used to help sleep, with many people searching for videos at around 10pm.
Researchers are now looking into ASMR more and more. Giulia Poerio, a researcher and faculty member at the University of Sheffield’s department of psychology, spearheaded a recent study and has this to say about her results:
“Our research consistently shows that ASMR is a relaxing, calming sensation that increases feelings of social connectedness,” she said. “Importantly, we found that ASMR videos produce significant reductions in heart rate in people who experience ASMR, so we now have more objective evidence of the idea that ASMR is relaxing. It’s not just people telling us that ASMR makes them feel relaxed. Their physiology is telling us the same thing too.”
As opposed to the short chill which can be experienced through music, ASMR can induce a long-lasting sensation that can help people to switch off anxiety or panic-inducing thoughts, and relax.
SonicTonic uses custom 3D audio software for creating its immersive soundscapes, as well as a special stereo microphone with a head and ears, so if you ever wanted to experience ASMR at its best, this is it! Just download the app and get started.
To get a better idea of what ASMR is all about, here is a collection of the best ASMR videos on the web – compiled by our friends at Nestmaven.
97 Best ASMR Videos To Help Relieve Stress And Fall Asleep Faster
