Do you remember how as a kid you fell asleep to whispered bedtime stories? Or when someone patted your back rhythmically? Or when you fall asleep at a lecture where the person speaks slowly in monotone? These would cause a tingling and relaxing sensation in your brain and through your spine and help you relax. This is known as Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), and it has been a topic of growing popularity with many articles being written and video blogs being made on the same.

Different sounds or images can cause ASMR and these are called ‘triggers’. Some examples include:

• Slow, rhythmic sounds
• Crisp sounds such as typing of keys, tapping fingernails, etc.
• Repetitive movements
• Receiving personal attention from someone

How does it work?

People who feel ASMR probably have a stronger neural connection between emotional and auditory areas and potentially some personality parameters. However, scientists are still researching why people react to ASMR the way they do!

The ASMR Research & Support organization puts people who feel ASMR into two categories:

• Type A – they are relaxed by their own thoughts (internal stimuli)
• Type B – they react and are relaxed by soft whispers, sounds and visual stimulation (external stimuli).

ASMR has been reported to relieve anxiety, pain, stress and can even help insomniacs who are trying to sleep. ASMR as a content category has gained fame over the last couple of years, with channels and platforms being totally dedicated to ASMR content. If you want to experience ASMR, YouTube, Reddit and SoundCloud are some platforms where you could find relaxing audio and visual content!

Comment below with the ASMR triggers that help you relax!