“…those who experience ASMR don’t see it as a negative, uncomfortable or painful experience – indeed, it’s clearly a very positive one.”

What We Know for Certain About ASMR
(and What We Don’t)

By Christina Eichelkraut

What is ASMR

People using their fingernails to lightly scrape blocks of chalk. A person flipping magazine pages. A person gently and methodically folding dinner napkins. These are all examples of the unique triggers that can induce ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. For those who experience it, certain sounds or visual stimuli can elicit a gentle tingling sensation on the scalp and down the neck, creating a deeply personal and often trance-like experience.

Reported Experiences of People with ASMR

Those who experience ASMR say watching these videos or experiencing similar stimuli in real life – this would include gentle touching or watching someone engage in a quiet, soothing activity such as writing slowly or shaving – have reported everything from chronic pain alleviation to stress symptoms decreasing. ASMR has been reported to help with sleep issues, lessen trauma responses and be an integral part of a person’s well-being.

ASMR Background

ASMR is a nonclinical term first coined in 2010 by a cybersecurity researcher named Jennifer Allen. She coined the phrase to make the phenomenon she and others were experiencing easier to discuss.

As the term, and possibly the experience, became more widely discussed online, a slew of internet videos purported to create an ASMR reaction was published. The videos are invariably quiet and soothing and involve the small noises of gentle experiences. Sounds are limited to only those produced by the activity at hand, such as the scratching of a fountain pen on paper or the bristles of a brush on canvas. People use them as meditation tools, sleep aids and even to soothe trauma symptoms.

What the Science Says (So Far)

Despite the burgeoning popularity of ASMR, many people remained skeptical of whether it was even a real phenomenon at all.

Researchers began to study the phenomenon seriously in the aughts. As with most medical research, the findings have led to more questions and several unconfirmed theories.

A 2015 study of 22 people, half of whom self-reported experiencing ASMR, did indicate the “default mode network” center of the brain was organized a bit differently. The default mode network is basically made up of two separate brain structures. When you daydream or are resting, these parts of the brain essentially work together.

In the ASMR participants, it appeared that not only did the two parts of the brain’s default mode network not work together (or at least not to the same degree), but other parts of the brain that are not part of that network became involved in that process.

Since the study was only 22 people, and due to the noise of the machines normally used to scan brain activity the participants were instead merely scanned during a resting state, ASMR remained a source of skepticism within the brain science community.

Numerous studies since then, however, confirm different brain activity in those who experience ASMR. In all the studies, it is clear that brain function blends when subjected to the stimuli.

Current ASMR Scientific Theories

Currently, there are two leading schools of thought regarding ASMR.

One is that it is another form of synesthesia, a condition in which people can taste color or smell sounds. The basis for this theory is that the blending of brain functions is a bit similar to what happens to people with synesthesia.

Other studies, however, indicate that the happy, sometimes even euphoric, state experienced by some people with ASMR results from the social parts of the brain being activated.

In addition to information from fMRI scans, researchers say there is some common sense reasoning behind that theory. Most ASMR stimuli—light touching, gentleness, soothing gestures or calming sounds—mimic how animals in nature bond and socialize (think monkeys grooming each other or kittens nuzzling together). Additionally, many ASMR behaviors mimic what would be experienced by a child from a gentle parent (cooing, stroking skin lightly, caring gestures).

Put less scientifically, ASMR may be a physical reaction to the sense of feeling deeply safe and loved. Since more parts of the brain are involved than simply the emotional center of the brain, the body experiences physical sensations as well.

What We Know For Certain

It’s clear that some people do experience physical sensations when exposed to certain sounds or visual stimuli. Whether that’s because they have an alternate form of synesthesia or experience love in a more holistic way remains to be seen.

Fortunately, a number of larger, more comprehensive studies on ASMR are currently ongoing. And ultimately, there’s no denying that those who experience ASMR don’t see it as a negative, uncomfortable or painful experience – indeed, it’s clearly a very positive one. If it does alleviate symptoms of trauma or aid with insomnia, then finding ways to stimulate an ASMR response are plentiful (and unlike many psychotropic medications or therapy, free).

That’s a lot of good brain news if you ask us.

ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA

The Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.

What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.