ASMR: What it is, what it stands for and how it works

What is ASMR? How does ASMR work? What does ASMR stand for? Are you "ASMR sensitive"? Do you get ASMR tingles?

Is this the first time you've heard of ASMR which stands for "Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response"? It might not mean what you think it means.

Millions of people experience ASMR "tingles" when exposed to certain stimuli. Triggers like hair brushing, whispering, finger tapping, clicking, chewing and caring role-playing send shivers down some people's spine.

These same ASMR triggers are actually "misophonic" triggers for others; meaning these sounds cause negative responses. For example: nails on a chalkboard will drive some people *nuts* but others aren't affected.

The Why Files answers these questions and raises a few more. The science behind behind ASMR is still new but research is underway. Though ASMR is a relatively new phenomenon, the online ASMR community is vibrant and growing rapidly.

Are you ASMR sensitive? What are your triggers? Let us know in the comments.

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--- Contents of this video ---------------------
00:00 - What is ASMR and what is it not?
00:33 - Logo
00:41 - Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
01:39 - Hecklefish gets the tingles!
01:55 - What happens to the body during ASMR?
02:30 - Misophonia and Synesthesia
03:03 - The worst sound ever born
03:41 - Platypus!
04:00 - Visual ASMR
04:38 - Combining visual and audible ASMR triggers
05:04 - Bob Freakin Ross
05:51 - Intimate personal attention ASMR
06:10 - ASMR-tist role playing
06:19 - Bubble wrap! Yes!
06:49 - ASMR may be healthy for the mind
07:26 - Platypus!
07:30 - Thanks for watching!

#asmr #science #psychology

[gordonpsmith]

Watching this video on ASMR itself is a trigger for me - because my late wife had several of these triggers, and one of her absolute favorite things was for me to slowly brush her long hair. This not only helped me understand her passion for that and other similar activities, but it also triggered all of the “missing you” reactions of a widower husband. Thank you (seriously - I really DO appreciate anything that helps me remember her!).

[TheWhyFiles]

Are you ASMR sensitive? What are your triggers? Let us know in the comments!

[Rebelled]

I've gone so far back that Hecklefish sounds different 😂

[aritslimited]

YouTube algorithm has changed right? Watching this channel grow from 250k to almost 350k in about 2 weeks. Well deserved! Keep the contents as they are! One of my favorites on YT! Keep going

[Allegheny]

Bob was unique in another way most people don't know, most artists, myself included cannot paint or draw while talking, painting is a right brain function and language is a left brain function. Most of us switch sides without realizing it and can only use one side or the other at a time, Bob Ross on the other hand was one of those rare individuals that could access both sides at the same time. That's why you have not seen anyone since do a painting show.

[bodders]

I love the noises Columbo makes when he's looking for things in his pockets, particularly crumpled bits of paper. Also his voice is very soothing.

[charleseinarson]

Not sure if it counts but when I was a kid, going to my room during a rainstorm while the sun was setting made my entire body tingle. It was the most relaxing sensation I’ve ever felt. Fast forward almost 40 years and I’m cleaning out that same room so we can sell my parents house. The things in the room are different but the smell and the sound of the rain on the roof reminds me of being 5 and the full body tingling begins. It may sound silly but those sensations are something I long for.

[nicholasholmes]

AJ’s hard work and dedication has become abundantly clear and you can only respect how much he has mastered his craft. I still get a lot out of these old videos.

[electron]

This channel is going to grow with all these well done videos, I subbed and its definitely worth doing. Effort into this is exceptional, I can't believe they don't have 5 million subscribers. They deserve more!

[wilfredodiaz]

I love the sound of rain drop on a tin roof and the sound of thunder... Helps me relax especially if it's during the evening

[corinnelaking]

Excellent. I don't get "tingles" myself, but I DO find ASMR videos to be relaxing. They do have value helping me wind down and get ready for sleep at night.

[robertobernardez]

"Be safe, be kind, and know that you are appreciated"

I've recently found your channel last 3 days ago and can't help but watch your videos.
For the meantime this will be my favorite vid. It gave me a lot to laugh about and smile to.😄

[tony-tonie_tone]

It is criminal you don't have more subs this channel is absolutely fantastic, like you can straight up tell that there is so much work put into these videos, can't wait for the channel to grow

[Kramerica]

My first experience with the tingling sensation from ASMR was actually unintentional and I experienced it a majority of my life without knowing what it was or having a term for it. My mother was a hair dresser so she would always cut my hair for me all throughout my life. Whenever she would get the hair trimmer out the buzzing sensation would give me goosebumps and a tingling feeling up my spine, arms and legs. It wasn't until ASMR took off on YouTube that I made the connection because I began noticing people were using hair trimmers in their ASMR videos. The connection was immediately made and I realized that other people were also experiencing this. I don't really get the feeling from any of the other "triggers" that people seem to enjoy although I do find them quite relaxing. I'm wondering if the sensation is in some way linked to early childhood memories because I can listen to someone whispering or scratching a microphone till my face is blue and I'll never get ASMR from it but the minute a hair trimmer is turned on I immediately get the sensation and am transported back to being a child and getting my hair cut by my mom.

[Drion]

Damn I didn't know you have been doing youtube for years, you deserve so many more subscribers dude! Every single one of your videos is just perfect, even the older ones like this one I happened to stumble across. Channels with your quality of videos would normally have millions of subscribers, but it seems like you're growing very slowly. That's not because of the quality of your videos, that's the algorithm. Once YouTube decides to give you a chance you'll grow like crazy!

[jennifermoody]

Watching everything this channel puts out is like my very own form of ASMR.. I do suffer from misophonia, and certain sounds like people chewing, swallowing and clearing their throats, as well as water dripping, obnoxious car engines, leaf blowers, hair dryers, any kinda object rattling etc, literally make my skin crawl and seem to trigger involuntary aggressive responses (such as making me wanna punch someone in the throat or worse) from me, which totally goes against my normally happy and loving demeanor.. there are certain sounds that are actually extremely soothing for me that a lot of "normal" people don't enjoy such as the sound of a fan blowing, water running and cats purring.. the visual ASMR videos on YouTube are a hit or miss for me at times, but watching someone clean something like a car, a rug or pressure washing concrete is almost always extremely satisfying for me for some reason.. however, videos like those can sometimes have sounds or music that bothers me, so I tend to lower the volume on the ones that do so that I can just enjoy the visual stimulation.. STAY BLESSED NOT STRESSED 😊❤❤😊

[dallasallen]

THIS IS SO WELL PUT TOGETHER. YOU GUYS REALLY HAVE SOMETHING COOL. CAN'T STOP WATCHING THESE.

[dustypotter]

I love your videos, all of them. I’ve been binge watching for a couple weeks now and this is literally the only channel that I can watch the same videos over and over. Please keep the content coming. Love you guys, and you are appreciated!

[DankReaper]

When I feel someone is genuinely being kind and assisting me with something I'll sometimes get pleasant tingles throughout my body.

[angelyeager]

Catching up on some of these older clips. I’m not sure if I’ve had a full sensory reaction response to audio/visual content but intrigued by this new trend. I can vouch for how relaxing it is when I listen to my Husband’s heart beat laying on his chest for a few minutes in bed or the sound of men in dialed down tone conversation around a campfire both are just soothing and give me a general feeling of safety and peace.