ASMR As A Global Phenomenon
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or ASMR, is in simple terms a collection of relaxing sensations that can induce a calming atmosphere, alleviate stress and help sleep as well. The phenomenon itself has been around since the dawn of time, and people have often used the sounds such as crackling of a fire, waves crashing against rocks on a beach and birds chirping in a rainforest to wind down to and create a calming ambience.
However, in the past decade, a niche community on the popular video platform YouTube has boomed with artists from all over the world using a camera and mic to make videos dedicated to creating such sounds for the viewers.
Wikipedia defines the sensation as being almost euphoric, characterized by “a combination of positive feelings and a distinct static-like tingling sensation on the skin.” It is achieved by using a slew of visual and auditory triggers that create a jovial tickle-like feeling that travels from the top of the head down the back and helps relax the muscles, lowering stress and releasing oxytocin for most listeners.
The niche itself has blossomed into a wide array of sounds and “triggers” to choose from. A trigger is the aid that sparks the feeling of comfort, often from the perspective of a caring friend, parent or partner. Content creators in the ASMR community on YouTube have millions of subscribers tuning in to each video as a form of relaxation.
Viewers describe their reasoning behind it as being a way to break away from the world into a quiet, comforting corner. The feeling that someone is listening and taking care of them can prove to be quite cathartic during stressful, anxious times.
Whether it just feels like sitting in a quiet forest listening to nature sounds, the warm fuzzy feeling one gets when sitting quietly beside a fireplace and listening to the crackling, or simply sounds like writing on a paper or typing on a keyboard have relaxing effects due to the symphonic monotony they hold.
Just as it is with everything, ASMR too has a negative side. Many people have reported that sounds such as high-pitched whispering or eating/drinking give them an uncomfortable feeling and cause them to turn off the video as it disrupts their mental peace. Since there are more women than men on platforms like YouTube and Twitch creating ASMR content, some have also sexualised the experience and labelled it lewd and inappropriate.
However, these are just a few exceptional cases since the majority of audience does seem to have a positive experience with ASMR, with many reporting how it helped them get through tough times during their life such as loss, rejection, severe anxiety and even insomnia. The Hollywood movie ‘The Quiet Place’ is a good example of how watching people go about their life with natural sounds can give the viewer chills down the spine.
Soothing sensations can also be induced when simply witnessing seemingly boring tasks like arranging books, shuffling cards, cleaning, eating, organising, studying, painting, cooking, baking and even gaming. The most common is simply whispering in a soothing, slow voice and there are hundreds of thousands of videos made with the sheer intention of putting the viewer to sleep by tapping, scratching, shaking, rustling, brushing and really all kinds of sounds.
Visual aids include aesthetically pleasing objects being introduced on screen, such as an array of ingredients being used while cooking or cute looking stationery being used to study. Watching the hand movements and other mannerisms of doing simple, mundane tasks can also lend a similar sensation and overall helps distract the person from their personal struggles and worries for the time being.
ASMR as a whole has gained a lot of popularity all across the globe, and there are creators from dozens of countries uploading videos for their fans on a daily basis. These videos have also been labelled as being a form of meditative practice for some, with reiki specialists using tools like tibetan singing bowls to surround the viewer with 360-degree audio in what they call ‘an immersive experience’ using binaural microphones to record the sounds.
The sensation enough can be quite addictive, as serial watchers of ASMR report a weakened ability to experience the same ‘trance-like feeling’ anymore. Hushed voices, hair brushing, crinkly paper and more feel like a massage for the brain, quite literally, through a camera lens while still approaching it as if the sound and the subject were in the same room together.
Though scientists are still probing into the exact physiological and biochemical reactions the body undergoes due to ASMR, it is clear that this is the go-to method for a release of feel-good hormones like endorphins for billions of people looking to relax, unwind and fall gently… asleep.
