I have a lot of problems with my anxiety that gets so bad that I can't even leave the house. It also disrupts my sleep and I get pretty sleep deprived. I take enough pills already, and I didn't want to tack an addictive sleeping pill on top of everything. But I finally found something that actually relaxes me enough that I can finally get some very much needed shuteye. ASMR videos.
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. ASMR Research & Support defines it as "a physical sensation characterized by a pleasurable tingling that typically begins in the head and scalp, and often moves down the spine and through the limbs." These tingling sensations are triggered by either an internal trigger (from specific thought patterns) or external ones. External triggers can include things like whispering or unique speech patters, watching educational/instructive videos, sounds like scratching, tapping or paper crinkling, close attention from another person (like eye exams or a salesperson), haircuts or touches from another on the head (playing with your hair) or back. I have heard it referred to as the "Bob Ross effect" as well, his calm voice, demeanor and sounds of brush upon canvas just making people melt into happy little relaxed puddles.
It's really hard to describe exactly what it feels like, although some have used the words "brain orgasms". It's not a sexual feeling by any means, just something calm and relaxing. Think of it like a massage, but for your brain. I always thought I was just weird, I mean, it's normal to enjoy having someone brush or play with your hair, or lightly massage your muscles with their fingertips. But what about how I would get these tingles and relaxation from watching people move their hands around an object slowly, or scratch and tap a surface? Maybe something was wrong with me. Then I stumbled across an ASMR video on Youtube, just a simple link in the sidebar. That opened up a whole new world where I found out that I wasn't alone. This is something that other people, thousands of others, also experience. These videos are done by others in the community who want to give back, all performing various triggers to help get others to relax. Once I started watching these videos, and finding out what my triggers are, I finally was able to use them to help me start to calm down and finally get some rest, or finally find some peace on a really stressful day where I just can't manage life anymore.
ASMR is making itself known as well. There were surveys conducted on Survey Monkey. There are various articles that have been published (and some that are being researched). There is a documentary called Braingasm that is being developed. There isn't much yet scientific-wise about ASMR, but that is all changing soon. There is a study being conducted at Dartmouth College in New Hampsire that will be using fMRI to study the effects of ASMR on the brain.
I wanted to publish this post to hopefully let other people know about ASMR, whether you have experienced it or not, or whether you are like me and really never knew there was actually a term for these feelings. Maybe you've experienced it in the past but never really gave a thought about it. I know I don't have many readers, but hopefully this will be something interesting to read for the ones I have!
Last but not least, I want to thank all those in the community who have dramatically helped me with their videos. Heather Feather, Silent Citadel, Maria GentleWhispering, TheWaterwhispers, Sweetseductiveasmr, VeniVidiVulpes and so many more. Although you may never see this post, I wanted to say how much your videos have impacted my life. Thank you so much for helping ease some of the anxiety I go through and let me actually have a nice, decent sleep.
Want to learn more about ASMR? Visit the ASMR Research & Support. Have you heard of ASMR and experienced it? Leave me a comment. Also, check out some of those in the community I linked as well. I'd love to hear your opinion!
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. ASMR Research & Support defines it as "a physical sensation characterized by a pleasurable tingling that typically begins in the head and scalp, and often moves down the spine and through the limbs." These tingling sensations are triggered by either an internal trigger (from specific thought patterns) or external ones. External triggers can include things like whispering or unique speech patters, watching educational/instructive videos, sounds like scratching, tapping or paper crinkling, close attention from another person (like eye exams or a salesperson), haircuts or touches from another on the head (playing with your hair) or back. I have heard it referred to as the "Bob Ross effect" as well, his calm voice, demeanor and sounds of brush upon canvas just making people melt into happy little relaxed puddles.
It's really hard to describe exactly what it feels like, although some have used the words "brain orgasms". It's not a sexual feeling by any means, just something calm and relaxing. Think of it like a massage, but for your brain. I always thought I was just weird, I mean, it's normal to enjoy having someone brush or play with your hair, or lightly massage your muscles with their fingertips. But what about how I would get these tingles and relaxation from watching people move their hands around an object slowly, or scratch and tap a surface? Maybe something was wrong with me. Then I stumbled across an ASMR video on Youtube, just a simple link in the sidebar. That opened up a whole new world where I found out that I wasn't alone. This is something that other people, thousands of others, also experience. These videos are done by others in the community who want to give back, all performing various triggers to help get others to relax. Once I started watching these videos, and finding out what my triggers are, I finally was able to use them to help me start to calm down and finally get some rest, or finally find some peace on a really stressful day where I just can't manage life anymore.
ASMR is making itself known as well. There were surveys conducted on Survey Monkey. There are various articles that have been published (and some that are being researched). There is a documentary called Braingasm that is being developed. There isn't much yet scientific-wise about ASMR, but that is all changing soon. There is a study being conducted at Dartmouth College in New Hampsire that will be using fMRI to study the effects of ASMR on the brain.
I wanted to publish this post to hopefully let other people know about ASMR, whether you have experienced it or not, or whether you are like me and really never knew there was actually a term for these feelings. Maybe you've experienced it in the past but never really gave a thought about it. I know I don't have many readers, but hopefully this will be something interesting to read for the ones I have!
Last but not least, I want to thank all those in the community who have dramatically helped me with their videos. Heather Feather, Silent Citadel, Maria GentleWhispering, TheWaterwhispers, Sweetseductiveasmr, VeniVidiVulpes and so many more. Although you may never see this post, I wanted to say how much your videos have impacted my life. Thank you so much for helping ease some of the anxiety I go through and let me actually have a nice, decent sleep.
Want to learn more about ASMR? Visit the ASMR Research & Support. Have you heard of ASMR and experienced it? Leave me a comment. Also, check out some of those in the community I linked as well. I'd love to hear your opinion!
Comments
Awesome post, and also, thank you for your shout out. Very touching <3