ASMR grows in popularity

Photo Courtesy of Google Images.

Are you tossing and turning at night? Having trouble falling asleep? In need of something to help you relax?

If the answer is yes, don’t worry: There is a solution for this.

Autonomous sensory meridian response, better known as ASMR, is an experience characterized by a static-like or tingling sensation on the skin that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. It tends to put people into a state of calm and pleasure so deep that it is often described as a “brain orgasm.”

This suddenly popular method in which soft sounds and touch make some people feel relaxing tingles down their neck and spine has recently gained a huge following online. Hundreds of thousands of fans watch videos of people performing soothing activities and sounds to help them sleep, relax or to ease anxiety.

“I was tossing and turning one night and decided to Google videos that put you to sleep, and a bunch of ASMR videos came up,” said Florida State senior Mya Roberts. “I found it weird but before I knew it, I began to really enjoy them.”

Fans have started to create YouTube channels dedicated to these triggering sensations. You can feel ASMR through videos about scalp massages (watching other people get them) to the sound of fingernails tapping on a hard surface.

Videos typically feature a woman speaking close to a microphone in a hushed tone. They are often acting as a massage therapist, makeup artist, or physicians as they tap, scratch and crunch, trying to create a sense of ASMR for their viewers.

“I watch a lot of Karuna Satori and Myaling ASMR videos, but at the moment my favorite video would have to be ‘ASMR makeup removing skin care service by Myaling ASMR,” said Florida A&M graduate, Tatiana Jean-Louis.

The people who create these videos have a huge following on social media and a load of subscribers on YouTube. They’re making almost six figures just from whispering and making soft noises.

Grammy award winning rapper Cardi B released her own ASMR videos last year. She went on to tell viewers about how much she enjoyed watching them. “My husband thinks it’s very strange and weird,” she said, but, “I watch ASMR every single day to go to bed.”

Atlanta rapper 21 Savage was inspired by ASMR; he recently dropped a song called “asmr.” His lyrics are anything but relaxing, but the way he whispers on the track sounds like it's taken from a more intense ASMR video.

For those who haven’t tried ASMR or simply aren’t wired for it, may find these videos and accounts weird, creepy, or just plain boring. However, for the people who do enjoy these videos, they tend to become part of their daily routine, as a way for them to relax and fall asleep.

“I recommend watching ASMR videos,” said Florida State student Pedro Soares. “It’s a great way to help people fall asleep and get relaxed, honestly it’s like being introduced to a whole different world.”