Understanding ASMR: Inside 6 Types of ASMR Triggers

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) refers to the tingling sensation people experience in their bodies in response to audio and visual stimuli. This feeling starts in the head and moves down toward the spine when a person watches or hears particular triggers, leading to goosebumps, brain tingles, feelings of relaxation, a lower heart rate, and mild euphoria. Some who experience ASMR have described the sensation as having a “brain orgasm.” While this isn’t necessarily a sexual reaction, some people can experience sexual arousal in response to the right triggers.

When a person is exposed to the right ASMR triggers, it can activate a part of the prefrontal cortex that deals with social behavior and the reward system brain regions. ASMR content can replicate the feelings of bonding and satisfaction, leaving you feeling positive and emotionally satisfied.

Researchers are still trying to determine the neuroscience behind how or why this response happens and which personality traits are more susceptible. Some researchers believe ASMR may overlap with synesthesia, a phenomenon defined by crossing the senses (people who can hear colors or taste sounds), while others think it may be a placebo effect.

ASMR videos on the internet cater to a variety of preferences. A few common triggers for ASMR include:

1. 1. Sounds: Gentle whispering, tapping fingernails, crinkling paper, and typing on a keyboard fall under the umbrella of pleasant binaural sounds for ASMR. Some people might prefer crisp sounds or the hard pronunciation of certain letters like “S” and “P.” Blowing, scratching, and turning the pages of a book are also popular ASMR sounds.
2. 2. Visuals: Some people can experience feelings of ASMR with the right visuals. Videos of people mixing paint, performing gentle hand movements, or neatly slicing soft objects can be visually stimulating for viewers.
3. 3. Role-play: Some ASMRtists (artists who specialize in ASMR) will use personal attention, making prolonged eye contact with the camera, and petting the lens as if they were gently touching the viewer. This special attention can provide the watcher with a feeling of safety and intimacy, which can be relaxing and therapeutic.
4. 4. Eating: Watching somebody eat in a certain way and listening to the slurping or chewing sounds they make can provide relaxation for some people.
5. 5. Crushing: Some ASMR viewers find it satisfying to watch objects like kinetic sand, sponges, or slime being squished or crushed.
6. 6. Tactile: You can experience ASMR triggers outside of video-streaming platforms and discussion websites. Some ASMR triggers can involve physical touch, like tickling the arm, humming through the nose, or using your fingers to draw on somebody’s back.

Saw some of the best darn logs of your life with a MasterClass Annual Membership and exclusive instructional videos from Dr. Matthew Walker, the author of Why We Sleep and the founder-director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Between Matthew’s tips for optimal snoozing and info on discovering your body’s ideal rhythms, you’ll be sleeping more deeply in no time.