It's become a big thing on YouTube and has even made its way into mainstream media and news on occasion, but what is ASMR?
The internet makes many things possible, but arguably the most important of these is the gift of free speech and communication. No matter who you are or what you want to share with the world, the internet is your stage and your audience is the globe. Never before has it been so easy to reach millions, and what once required a good deal of money and a TV studio now requires only a PC and a camera. How times have changed.
This freedom of speech and ease of use means that the internet has become the perfect social space for people to share their thoughts, interests and beliefs. This includes topics that are largely unknown and misunderstood by the majority, to the point where they even court controversy and are seen as lewd and suspect, even though there's nothing untoward at all.
A perfect example of this is ASMR, which is embraced by a strong, growing community on YouTube and other sites, but is also seen as questionable and even fetishistic by others. For the people who understand it, ASMR is a simple and harmless subject, but due to a lot of misinformation and general ignorance, those not in the know see it as something far removed. What's the true nature of ASMR, though, and what's it all about?
Tingles
ASMR is short for 'autonomous sensory meridian response', and it's a pseudo-scientific term to describe a simple, pleasurable and relaxing physical response some people experience when they hear or observe very specific sounds or visual stimuli. This response is usually described as a tingling that often starts in the head and neck and can wash over the whole body. Ever had your hair washed at a hairdressers and felt a nice, tingly sensation? That's probably ASMR.
The causes of ASMR are commonly called triggers and can be pretty much anything, with each person having their own specific triggers. Tapping, crinkling sounds, slow hand movements, even mouth sounds and chewing can all trigger ASMR. The most common trigger, it seems, is simple whispering, the gentle sounds of which are a major trigger to many.
We said ASMR is a pseudo-scientific term, because it's not technically considered to be a real, known neurological phenomenon. The scientific and medical world have debated the topic, and currently it still remains largely unclassified or proven, at least in those circles. To those who experience ASMR or the many ASMR artists who host YouTube channels focusing on the subject, this isn't a problem. To them it remains a very real and beneficial, physical feeling used for relaxation, as a cure for insomnia or even for general health and well-being.
It can be a hard feeling to describe, mainly as it differs from person to person, just as triggers do, but for many, it's a feeling they've had all their lives, but one they couldn't describe or find out about - until now. Thanks to the internet and YouTube, it's far more known, and people can put a name to it. Indeed, many a user has exclaimed "I have that! And now I know what it is."
The term ASMR was reportedly coined by the founder of asmr-research.org, Jenn Allen, but knowledge of the phenomenon has been around a lot longer. Some would argue that it's been mentioned as early as 1925 in the book Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, in which a nursemaid's soft, deep voice is described as having a pleasurable effect when whispered close to the ear.
"Septimus heard her say 'Kay Arr' close to his ear, deeply, softly, like a mellow organ, but with a roughness in her voice like a grasshopper's, which rasped his spine deliciously and sent running up into his brain waves of sound" reads part of the passage, clearly focusing on the physical effect the sound of a specific voice can have on the nervous system.
ASMR has been described in many ways in an attempt to convey the feeling to others, including terms like head tingles, brain massage and even brain orgasms or whipser porn (which are apparently represented in a less sexual way using the term 'meridian'), although the latter does the topic little justice when the subject is often considered to be rather risque by some. Why is this, though?
Sexual Feeling?
ASMR is often confused with erotic content, and this isn't hard to understand for casual viewers who may stumble on such videos without prior knowledge. The majority of ASMR channels are often hosted by attractive women, who stare into the camera lovingly while whispering or softly talking to the viewer. Often they caress the camera or various objects, playing with them using slow movements that some would call sensual. A sizeable proportion of videos focus on close-up personal attention, ranging from doctor examinations and eye-test role-plays, all the way to the stranger, kidnapping or futuristic sci-fi fantasies. However, as dubious as some of this may sound, it's almost always perfectly innocent, and the end goal is simply to relax the viewer and trigger the ASMR reaction. The styles of videos are as varied and numerous as the triggers that cause ASMR.
For most ASMR artists and those who experience ASMR, the feeling is purely relaxation, and there's no sexual connotation. In fact, for most, the two feelings are directly at odds, meaning ASMR and sexual content simply don't mix. It's just not what ASMR is about. That's not to say there isn't some adult ASMR around; it's the internet, after all, and if you can think of it, someone has probably done it online. But for the most part, ASMR is strictly non-sexual.
It's also incorrect to assume ASMR artists are all female. While the fairer sex certainly dominates the community, there are many male artists too, and they also perform the same kinds of actions and role-plays, for both men and woman. Some worry that men performing the same actions may come across as creepy, unsuitable or even threatening, but in ASMR terms it's usually not a problem, since it's all about the triggers and relaxation.
In fact, one of the most well-known ASMR artists, even if he never knew it, is the late Bob Ross. During his show The Joy of Painting, Ross instructed the viewer with his characteristic soft, warm voice. This, coupled with his gentle and soothing brush strokes is often cited as the first ASMR experience of many, including some ASMR artists. The popular ASMR artist The Waterwhispers Use confirmed this during one of her own videos. She's one of the most prolific channels on YouTube and also one of the most famous, having appeared on TV and in interviews, and she's helped raise awareness of ASMR.
She's not alone either. Another popular artist, Maria, of YouTube channel Gentle Whispering, has also done her fair share of raising ASMR's profile, along with others such as Whispers Red, Heather Feather, ASMRrequests, MassageASMR, Ephemeral Rift and Springbok ASMR. It's a constantly growing community, and despite the often mundane nature of a video's content, these routinely gather hundreds of thousands of views. ASMR, it seems, is a potentially big business.
Science And Stigma
Despite its generally non-sexual and totally benign nature, ASMR is widely considered to be strange and even deviant by critics and those who don't understand it. This has led to the videos created to cater to it becoming something of a guilty pleasure, despite its growing appeal. Indeed, most ASMR artists refrain from providing their full names, and people who experience and enjoy ASMR often keep their interest secret. These facts make ASMR seem seedy and untoward, and that's a shame, as it's nothing more than a harmless feeling of tingles.
Yes, as we've said, as an outsider stumbling on it with no prior knowledge, the sight of a woman slowly tapping on various objects, folding towels or pretending to be a doctor performing an inner ear exam is undeniably strange, but is it harmful or worrying? No, not at all. Certainly nothing like a lot of far more questionable content you can find online, most of which is easier to find. ASMR is a simple, niche interest and should be treated as such. There have even been movements in scientific research over the years, and it's never been truly dismissed, despite efforts to the contrary, such as taking down ASMR's Wikipedia page due to a lack of medical proof (it's back up now, though).
A lecturer of psychology and cognitive science at the University of Sheffield, Tom Stafford has been quoted (via www.independent.co.uk) as saying, "It might well be a real thing, but it's inherently difficult to research. The inner experience is the point of a lot of psychological investigation, but when you've got something like this that you can't see or feel and it doesn't happen for everyone, it falls into a blind spot. It's like synaesthesia - for years it was a myth, then in the 1990s people came up with a reliable way of measuring it."
Basically, ASMR is likely a real, measurable physical condition but one that we've yet to fully understand or categorise, just as many now well-known physical phenomena were once undiscovered or doubted. All that's needed is more research. Sadly, with some very vocal critics and doubters, ASMR still struggles to be taken seriously, despite the impressive effort of the community.
Efforts continue, however, and there are many studies looking into ASMR. You can take a survey about it at svy.mk/1MQbLh5, This is being run by a group of university professors of psychology in order to gather more information about ASMR and those who experience it. More information can be found at asmruniversity.com. That's just one of many studies being performed, which will hopefully benefit the ASMR community and help legitimise the subject, instead of it being seen as gibberish or 'That strange part of YouTube'.
If you're still in doubt, just think of the numbers. A quick flick through YouTube will reveal thousands upon thousands of viewers and subscribers to ASMR channels, all of whom claim to have experienced ASMR. Although we may not be able to properly explain it, ASMR appears to be a physical experience and one felt by a whole lot of people.
Uses For ASMR
ASMR isn't just considered a simple good feeling by those who experience it or by ASMR artists who attempt to trigger it; it's also used for various therapies by those who believe in its beneficial nature. The most common of these is for simple relaxation. The most prevalent ASMR triggers involve slow, soft or quiet relaxing movements and sounds, which obviously prompts a heightened level of relaxation, similar to some forms of hypnosis. Indeed, many ASMR videos role-play hypnosis sessions, and listening to guided meditation tapes is possibly the first ASMR experience many people have. The two subjects are closely connected in terms of their effect.
So relaxing is ASMR, it's also used by a large number of people as a method of inducing sleep, especially those who suffer from insomnia. With the relaxing nature of ASMR, it's easy to see why this may be. Listening to people softly talk or whisper, or to sounds you consider soothing and pleasurable, are simple ways to make you so relaxed you fall asleep, even if you struggle to do so normally. Critics of ASMR may simply put this down to boredom, as they see a lot of ASMR videos as dull, mundane and pointless, but for those who believe in ASMR, this isn't the case, and the effect is more profound. If you're having trouble sleeping, though, who cares if it's the physical effect of ASMR or simply dull content. If it has the desired effect, all's good, right? Why complain?
Good mental and physical health is another area where ASMR is believed to be beneficial. This is where many arguments begin, though, given the unproven scientific nature of the subject. It really depends on your own opinion and experience of ASMR, as there's no current medical proof. Arguments for ASMR say that a well rested, unstressed and relaxed mind promotes positive thinking and good health, and there are many ASMR channels that focus on this, treating ASMR as a mental massage. Some even feature relaxing videos of actual massages, as the technique of massages involves a lot of ASMR triggers.
A smaller, but still relevant portion of the community link ASMR to spiritual and internal well-being, with a new-age spin to it. This is certainly a belief system that's no stranger to scepticism. All things spiritual have been debated for centuries, with New Age being a relatively new arm of this.
For a phenomenon with little to no scientific basis, it's seemingly very useful and widespread. Even taken as a simple way to relax, it certainly beats pharmaceutical options if it works for you and eliminates the cost and side effects that may come with such medicine. This alone makes it worth a try. What have you got to lose? (Of course, don't just stop taking prescribed medicine, though; that would be silly. Always consult your doctor first.)
Sceptical?
Hopefully, this brief look at ASMR has provided some insight and has left you with a little more knowledge of the subject. You may not believe in it and still find it somewhat strange, but by learning about the basics, it should paint a better picture of ASMR and the community. Have a look at the links provided here, watch a few videos and see if you have ASMR. You might be surprised.
Useful Websites
• The ASMR Lab: www.asmrlab.com
• ASMR Reddit: www.reddit.eom/r/asmr/
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/SootheTube, www.soothetube.com
• ASMR University: asmruniversity.com
• ASMR Research and Support: on.fb.me/1mADBt8
Whispering / Soft Speaking
Arguably the most common basic ASMR trigger, whispering and certain inflections in tone are widely known to promote ASMR, hence the huge range of videos that focus on this. Close-up, in-ear whispering and talking is used a lot by ASMR artists and binaural mics help to get the most out of this trigger.
Mouth Sounds
Not the same as whispering or even soft speech, mouth sounds is all about actual noises, such as lip smacking, tongue clicking, blowing, specific sounds like 'sk sk sk' and even eating sounds, which many dislike and actually find it anything but relaxing, but for others, it's an ASMR trigger.
Touch
In the real world, ASMR can be triggered by touch, specifically gentle touches or strokes. The head and hair are particularly sensitive for some people, but any form of gentle contact can be a trigger. The sight of such interaction can also prompt ASMR, even for a person not being touched.
Concentration
Called an 'unintentional trigger', observing someone concentrating on specific tasks can set off people's ASMR and this is why there are so many ASMR videos of mundane things like towel folding, unboxing, model painting, page turning and other every-day situations.
Slow, Deliberate Movements
Represented most often by slow hand movements, this is a visual way to trigger some people's ASMR. It's often used in tandem with other ASMR triggers, such as the effects of manipulating some objects and sounds and as some people are only triggered by visual stimuli, it's a popular trigger.
Binerual Beats
An essential piece of technology for any ASMR artist is a good quality binaural microphone. These special mics record audio in a way that reproduces human hearing. These recordings play the audio, taking into account the position of the source. So as an artist whispers to the camera and mic, as they move around so too does the audio. This means you can hear sounds moving from left to right, front to back. It's a more detailed and immersive system than simple stereo, and it's helped ASMR artists take the craft to the next level in terms of realism and genuine feedback to the viewer.
ASMRtists
There's an ever growing army of ASMR artists online, and a search on YouTube will reveal a substantial list, but here's just a small selection of some of the best and most followed channels to get you started if you're curious about ASMR and want to explore it for yourself.
The WaterWhispers
One of the most prolific ASMR artists around, The WaterWhispers focuses on what's considered traditional or old school ASMR, involving a large collection of object-oriented ASMR videos that are often requested by subscribers. These videos feature plenty of tapping, slow hand movements and use of a plethora of everyday items. Use does role-plays too, as well as unboxings, and is regarded as one of the best overall channels around.
Olivia Kissper
Olivia's channel benefits from her charming personality and calming voice as she focuses mainly on role-plays and close, personal attention. Olivia likes to experiment with her role-plays, and although she features a lot of the staple ASMR styles, such as doctor visits, hairdressing or make overs, she also dabbles in fantasy, with some magical and sci-fi role-plays that all feature her unique spin.
Massage ASMR
One of the most popular male ASMR artists, as well as artists in general, Australian ASMRer Dmitri is all about sound. His wide range of videos mainly deal with specific sounds that trigger ASMR, particularly crinkle and tapping sounds, with the former almost always involving his staple silver soap. As well as long series of specialised sound videos, he also does a range of role-plays, massages (of course) and Eastern-meditation-themed videos using such things as Tibetan singing bowls.
Ephemeral Rift
If there's one word you could use to describe Ephemeral Rift, it's got to be, odd. A very popular channel and one that's always superbly filmed and produced, Ephemeral Rift is a mixture of role-plays and object-focused ASMR videos in which a series of often bizarre characters attempt to trigger ASMR. These characters usually exist in the 'Rift World' and include post-apocalyptic candy salesmen, robot repair men, plague doctors and many more outlandish creations. Videos are often intentionally strange and different, offering a very unique ASMR experience.
Gentle Whispering
Maria, of Gentle Whispering, is one of the most popular ASMR artists around, and this is mainly down to her gentle, bubbly persona and voice that ASMR fans may well consider is made for the craft. She produces a range of videos that mainly revolve around role-plays and close-up personal attention, as well as the odd food-related or object-focused video. Her channel is often referenced by media covering ASMR and for good reason.
The ASMR Nerd
There are many specialised ASMR channels, including a wide selection of videogame-themed options, and The ASMR Nerd is one of them. The channel focuses on whisper videos, with some of the most popular being a whispered tour of the world of Skyrim. The channel also features soundscapes, some object-focused videos and unboxings.
The ASMR Gamer
A new channel but one that's already gathered a sizeable subscriber base, the ASMR Gamer is, unsurprisingly, focused on gaming, but also features videos about other topics, including some traditional ASMR, such as mouth sounds, objects and role-plays. Ben is a likeable chap and comes across as genuine and friendly, and his channel has already come on in leaps and bounds since his first video only a year ago.
Heather Feather
Heather is considered by many in the ASMR community as one of, if not the very best, alongside others in this list. Like The WaterWhispers, she focuses on object-based videos, using and manipulating items to trigger ASMR, and she also does various role-plays and soundscapes. Sounds are a major focus here, especially with objects and close-up whispering is a constant.
ASMR Requests
ASMR Requests is another channel that uses a lot of objects to promote ASMR, as well as a healthy selection of role-plays. Early on, the channel focused on user requests, hence the name and produced ASMR videos around specific subjects suggested by subscribers. Food is often used in videos, such as sweets from around the world (sent in by fans). There's a good selection of content, including themed videos on video games, books, movies and more.
ASMR Gains
ASMR Gains' Fred focuses on role-plays, with his line of surprisingly effective rude persona, including less-than-kind restaurant waiters and suit fitters, not to mention his Star Wars-themed role-plays. He also has a selection of sound-based videos and isn't afraid to experiment with new and original role-plays.