22 entertaining facts about ASMR, or How to get an orgasm with the help of sounds

ASMR or autonomous sensory meridional reaction is a phenomenon of perception, which is characterized by pleasant tingling sensations in the back of the head, "goosebumps" on the back, arms and legs. And all this is due to sound, visual or tactile stimuli.

If you've ever had goosebumps when listening to a song, while contemplating nature, or when accidentally touching it, you know what ASMR is. Here are 22 more interesting facts about this phenomenon.

The first mention of the term "ASMR" was recorded in 2010 in the name of the group on Facebook (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response Group). It was proposed by the creator of the group Jennifer Allen. The woman participated in a discussion on the SteadyHealth forum, where sensations arising in the body when listening to various sounds were discussed. Based on the materials of this discussion, the term ASMR appeared.

Along with the term ASMR, another one appeared — braingasm or brain orgasm. People claim that the sensations they experience when listening to certain sounds can be compared to an orgasm. Many noticed that after the ASMR session they felt relaxed and satisfied, as after sex.

In addition to the "brain orgasm", there is also a "skin orgasm", also known as frisson. This term scientists call goosebumps, soft trembling in the limbs and accelerated heartbeat, which often occur when listening to music. But AFMR lovers claim that these two phenomena are completely different.

So far, no convincing research has been conducted on the topic of ASMR. This phenomenon was first started to be interested only a couple of years ago, and this is very little to create research projects. Therefore, most of the information that is now available on this topic came from ordinary people.

There are a huge number of trigger sounds that give listeners goosebumps and pleasant sensations in the body. And for everyone, these sounds can be different: someone likes the rustle of leaves, someone likes the rustle of towels, someone likes to listen to others eat (the so-called "iting"). No one knows how many such triggers exist, but…

According to the survey results, ASMRS most often cause people to whisper, personal attention, slow movements and crunchy sounds, for example, rustling foil or tapping nails on hard surfaces. When asked why people like to watch ASMR videos, almost 98% of respondents said that it helps them relax. Another 82% said that it is good to fall asleep under such videos.

Despite the fact that now the term ASMR itself is associated by most with pretty girls whispering something into a microphone, there are triggers that have nothing to do with YouTube videos. For example, in real life, people may experience ASMR when they get a haircut or manicure.

Dr. Craig Richard, professor of biopharmaceutical sciences at Shenandoah University, is one of the few specialists who is seriously studying this phenomenon. He even wrote the book "Brain Tingles", which describes the history of the formation of the ASMR community. According to Richard, he was also attracted by the discussion on SteadyHealth, during which people shared their unusual feelings.

In his book, Richard mentions the first ASMR video that appeared on YouTube. It was a woman's whisper, and it was posted in 2009. This was done specifically to draw attention to this phenomenon.

"ASMR" is the third most popular request on YouTube. Only BTS (a popular Korean band) and PewDiePie (a Swedish video blogger) beat him. The number of search queries about ASMR over the past year exceeded 13 million.

Before the outbreak of the pandemic, "live" ASMR sessions, for example, Whisperlodge, were very popular in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. On them, the performers tried for 90 minutes to evoke ASMR from those present with the help of whispers, tapping and other sounds used for ASMR videos on YouTube.

Music and ASMR are closely related, so it's not surprising that modern artists often use ASMR triggers in their songs. For example, in 2014, Deadmau5 used in his composition "Terrors in My Head" an excerpt from a video of a popular singer on YouTube. Among other things, it uttered the phrase: "Good morning to you."

In 2019, the Michelob ULTRA brand filmed an ad featuring Zoya Kravitz, who whispered into a microphone and demonstrated other ASMR triggers, for example, opening a bottle of beer. The agency that worked on the creation of this video consulted with Dr. Craig Richard. Later, ASMR techniques were used in their advertising campaigns by brands such as KFC, IKEA, Dove and Ritz Crackers.

Painter Bob Ross, the host of the TV show Joy of Painting, has learned to evoke pleasant sensations in the body of the audience. In his TV show, he communicates with the audience in a calm, quiet voice and peacefully moves a brush on the canvas. ASMR-the effect is provided!

At first glance, it seems that it is very simple to shoot an ASMR video: you take the microphone and whisper something, or at least eat. In fact, in order for your videos to be watched, they must have a pleasant visual component, high sound quality, a thoughtful script and an original idea.

One of the ASMR studies showed that listeners of trigger sounds have a reduced heart rate of 3.41 beats per minute. This means that this tool can be effectively used to combat stress. Similar indicators are observed, for example, when listening to your favorite music.

People who enjoy various ASMR triggers tend to misophony more than others - a condition in which a person cannot tolerate some sounds, for example, crunching from an apple bite, champing, etc.

Members of the ASMR community reported that over time they get less and less pleasure from listening to certain sounds. And some said that they had no sensitivity to triggers at all.

If you've watched the movie "Battle of the Sexes", you probably remember the scene in which Billie Jean King meets his lover, hairdresser Marilyn Barnett. In this episode, the directors made maximum emphasis on sounds — whispers, scissors clicks, hair dryer noise, etc.

To understand exactly how ASMR triggers affect the human brain is hindered by the MRI machines themselves, with the help of which research is carried out. Since medical equipment works loudly enough, the subjects are distracted and cannot achieve the so-called braingasm.

According to scientists, there is a connection between ASMR and the "big five" personality traits: neuroticism, benevolence, extroversion, conscientiousness and openness to experience. In a study involving more than 400 people, it was found that people with ASMR are less characterized by benevolence, conscientiousness and extroversion, but they tend to be open to experience and neuroticism.

There are people who enjoy tapping their fingers on the microphone, chewing food or gentle whispering. But there are also those who like more "hard" triggers, for example, kidnapping or murder. Among the many videos on YouTube, you can find those where the speaker, though in a whisper, but still, threatens the audience with violence: "Hello. Nice to meet you. In case you haven't figured it out yet, this is a robbery. Just give me all your money in a good way so that I don't have to use a knife."