The Brain Science (and Benefits) of ASMR | Craig Richard | TED

A curious, quiet revolution of sound has taken over the internet. Physiologist Craig Richard explains the soothing brain science of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), tracking its rise in popularity and why this fascinating phenomenon is so relaxing to millions of people around the world.

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[TheJonathanc]

I am one of the lucky people that has a strong ASMR sensation when watching these videos and listening to these individuals. They help me relax significantly, and as someone with clinical anxiety, it makes a huge, positive difference in my mental state. The ASMR artists featured in this talk are those that I watch along with others. Thank you so much for talking about this topic and spreading understanding.

[lizlopezsmiles]

I absolutely enjoyed this TED Talk! This used to be so taboo but not anymore. I give so much credit to ASMR Artists who create this kind of content just so that people can become more relaxed. We need ASMR ❤

[fakkedd]

I had a permanent migraine after a brain injury, and listening to the soft, gentle voice of one of my classmates was the only thing that ever worked to reduce the pain. Now I understand why.

[creationfied]

finally somebody talking about this, ive been struggling to find much proper research on the topic

[lourdespalacios]

ASMR videos had a huge positive impact in me, it’s like having a happy place to go every time I find a new ASMRtist❤

[alinearielo]

Glad to see Maria (gente whispering) and Emma (whispers red), they are absolutely fantastic and helped me a lot, the birthplace of ASMR.

[Ziplocked]

I found asmr by mistake when I was younger. I looked up random space facts and the person was whispering them and I was listening and almost fell asleep😂 listened to that video a few nights then realized what it was exactly and was blown away.

[CrossroadsReloaded]

Before hearing about 'ASMR', for most of my life, these pleasant feelings were 'brain shivers'. I identified most of my triggers at an early age. But they're not personal attention related.

One of my strongest comes from unintelligible whispered reading/slow page turning. It actually hit me the most at school, when teachers asked us to quietly read something. So typically moments when no one was paying much attention to others.

I just happen to enjoy the quiet sounds of focused people doing something.

[GabeWilliams]

I’ve been listening to asmr since I was in high school, probably even in 2013 as he mentioned when there was no studies about it. I’ve always known it was a very real thing and I’m glad it’s getting more and more attention over time

[phonguyentuhop]

I hasn't known a lot of ASMR, however i was experience when i go wash hair, i fell comfortable. After this video I learn some new thing: everything comfortable help people relax, happy. Lastly, people just want love and respect. So I will soft talk with all people around me. The emotion positive alway accept and created to conect. Lastly, people want to love and respect. So I will do it with all peole.

[matthook]

A whole new career has emerged from people speaking into microphones and tapping boxes

[thomasrider]

I have seen many videos explaining ASMR, and "the tingles" and have often wondered if the "feelings" are of more basic response. Let me explain. I see ASMR not as response to sound, but as a reward for intensely for searching and finding an audio response. The ASMR fans are not just playing the sounds, they are actively attempting to connect to every sound and/or frequency in a low sound environment, and their brain is in high scan mode desperately awaiting a response. A confirmation that I am not alone and that the tingles are my brain acknowledging the receipt of those low tones and creating a biological response similar to fight or flight, but in this case since we are already safe, we're accepting it as pleasure today since we know there is no risk. I like to think that ASMR is a tool we possessed in infancy to receive auditory feedback to confirm that we are not ever truly left alone. Thanks for the presentation, and I love to know if ASMR occurs in blind people since their hearing tends to be more acute.

[杉浦勘太-uj]

I only saw this video for studying English, but it was so interesting that I just took a look at it.
thank you for wonderful speech！！

[mynameisiden]

i am a former first responder w ptsd. i discovered asmr by accident in 2013. artists like whispers red, jbgreen, dmitri and a dozen others literally saved my life relaxing me when nothing else would and bridging me to in person therapy and emdr treatment

[StarBoundFables]

Brilliant presentation, Craig, thank you! 😄🙏🏽

[iPodFayne]

Been waiting so long for science to look at ASMR!!!

[orourkeseant]

Haircuts and getting shoes shined..i recognized that feeling when i was very, very young..now 60 years later, i found a name for it!

[justjay_]

I knew I wasn't the only one enjoying all the ASMR while getting haircuts, listening to Bob Ross, or listening to ASMR Artists. 👏👏

[Sleeping_Dreamer]

There are many benefits that audio/sound frequencies can do for people. ASMR activates similar responses that we get from connecting with others, so in that its definitely special. Many people have a negative view of ASMR because they find it weird or they seen some of the ones where its just people making sounds with items, oftentimes odd items. I've explored much of the ASMR world but i have settled on the personal attention ones because i have the strongest response as well as most relaxing.

Ambient/sleep/meditation videos are also included and i love it when i find channels like this that also integrate ASMR. There is a ton of possibilities with ASMR and other sounds, we just need to get more people talking about it.

[just_matt]

4:10 man that is crazy. I started watching ASMR videos 4 years ago, but before that I first experienced it through this example. These pasts 4 years, I've repeatedly been stuck between "that's ASMR" and "no way that's ASMR... it doesn't make sense." I was appalled by his response.

Edit: just kidding. 4:30 was my first experience. No way!