ASMR, or Automatic Sensory Meridian Response, is a fairly new term to describe a fairly common phenomenon: those "tingles" that you may get when your doctor puts on their latex gloves, that "shiver" you may get when a trusted friend leans in to whisper something in your ear (no, not those shivers and those friends - think the "telephone game" in elementary school), that relaxation of a hairdresser brushing your hair, that pleasant feeling that comes from watching raindrops run down a window pane inches from your face ...
As of late, there's been a boom in the creation of ASMR videos in which "ASMRists" attempt to create these pleasant sensations in others by using certain sounds, sights, and role-play situations that many report to induce these ASMR "tingles"/shivers/relaxing responses (common examples include tapping on wooden and metal objects, hairdresser and doctor role plays, towel-folding, whispering, and drawing, although the content of such videos is extremely and increasingly diverse). Some claim that this ASMR helps to stop panic attacks, reduce symptoms of depression, and help sufferers of insomnia to get some sleep. There are not yet empirical studies to affirm this, although hundreds of comments on YouTube videos seem to offer ample anecdotal evidence of such.
I, too, can offer anecdotal evidence - I'm an easily overwhelmed person, and these ASMR videos help to ground me and sooth me back to a breathable level.
Of course, many people without diagnosable disorders or serious overwhelm, simply find the videos relaxing and enjoyable, and most of us could use a little more relaxation.
Below is a sample of five different ASMR videos from five different ASMRists with their different approaches. Obviously, this is by no means an exhaustive list: feel free to check out some of the thousands of different videos available. What I find relaxing, you may find ineffective or even jarring. We are each relaxed differently, and there are many, many videos out there. Headphones are recommended, if possible: many of these videos are binaural, which means that the sound travels from ear to ear.
1. You Gotta Get That Dirt Off Your Shoulder (Heather Feather ASMR)
Brushing sounds are a certain type of soothing: they're intense, powerful sounds that are not so overwhelming or strong as to be painful. Many ASMR videos produce these sounds quite well. What makes this video especially effective in its ability to relax, however, is the gentle, wise, and caring personality of its creator, Heather Feather. Heather Feather is a master of making the viewers feel as though they're her personal best friend, like someone that she cares a great deal about and believes in and wants the best for. This added bit of compassion turns a raw sensory experience which would be plenty relaxing on its own into a comforting visit that soothes on an emotional, psychological, and, for many, even physical level.
"You're okay. You're okay. And even if you're not, you're going to be. I promise."
-Heather Feather
2. 10 Hours of Tapping, Crinkle & Trigger Sounds - No Talking Just Sounds (MassageASMR)
As soothing as the speeches of Heather Feather can be, some people aren't much into hearing others speak. Plenty times, I, myself, don't particularly want to deal with humans and their words. That's where "no talking" videos such as this come into play.
Yes, 10 hours is a very, very long time, and, no, you're not actually expected to listen to the full 10 hours consecutively. Some people turn on the video when they're falling asleep and let the sounds ease them into slumber (I've done this a few times). Some go into the description box and "skip ahead" to a sound or segment that they want to listen to. Regardless, this video is full of a variety of wordless sounds that make the ears tingle and the breathing deeper.
3. A Phrenology Exam (ASMRrequests)
Or maybe you'd rather have more whispering and less tapping and scratching. While Heather Feather above is usually my go-to for speaking ASMR, I also find the voice of Ally to be comforting and soothing. I also find the learning of obscure bits of knowledge (even if this "knowledge" had been disproved by modern neurology some time ago, as Ally is fully aware) to be relaxing and "tingly" on an intellectual level. There are, of course, some non-speaking sounds mixed in, and there is a good bit of visual stimulation (such as pointing and diagramming), but the primary focus is on the voice and the words behind the voice.
4. 1 Hour of Binaural Nut Sack ASMR (Ephemeral Rift)
A sack of peanuts doesn't initially strike most as being something that can bring about relaxation, but this video is a prime example of how a creative and inventive ASMRist can induce incredible sensations (or, at the very least, great relaxation) from the most unconventional of means. Ephemeral Rift has embedded the microphone directly into the burlap sack of peanuts; thus, the sounds are very vivid, relaxing, and, for me, extremely soothing. This is another "no talking" video in which the focus is on pure, unadulterated sound (and is, in fact, my personal favorite ASMR video at the moment).
Believe it or not, this video is actually fairly "conventional" as far as an Ephemeral Rift ASMR video can go...
5. Makeup Consultation Roleplay (Tony Bomboni)
No introduction into the world of ASMR would be complete without either a makeup consultation or a hairdressing roleplay: the combination of personal attention and visual-and-audio-paired sensory detail seems to be an effective relaxant for many. It doesn't at all hurt that Tony Bomboni also has an engaging yet disarming personality to pair with his ability to produce nice sounds and a believable environment. I don't even wear makeup in my daily life, but I still feel comforted as Tony examines my face for the best cosmetic matches and carefully applies this makeup.
I hope that at least one of the videos above relax or comfort you in any way. There are so many videos out there with new videos and new creators coming out every day, so always keep exploring.
