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Sleep Science
With ASMR going viral around the globe, we explore what ASMR sound is, why it gives us those feel-good goosebumps and how it helps us fall asleep quickly.
3 Min Read | By Anna Ashbarry
Last Modified 11 July 2022 First Added 11 December 2019
ASMR, also known as Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, causes a tingling sensation which is a very relaxing feeling that most people experience on their scalp, their neck, and at the top of their spine.
Triggers of ASMR often come from sounds like paper tearing or gentle whispering. ASMR is a personal thing and a trigger that may be pleasant for one person and may not be for another. There are plenty of ASMR sounds to explore to work out what triggers you.
The definition of ASMR is as follows:
A tingling feeling in the scalp and down the back of the neck which is experienced by some people in response to a particular sound.
Dr. Craig Richard, founder of ASMR University and host of the Sleep Whispers podcast, told Dazed: “ASMR has been consistently reported to help people to feel more relaxed, feel less stressed, and fall asleep more easily,” he says. “Even people with severe conditions of anxiety and insomnia are reporting benefits of ASMR.”
Research has found that ASMR can help you sleep better with other benefits including a reduction of stress and anxiety, as it acts as a distraction from everyday life. It brings a sense of peace to the mind and the body. ASMR is considered a form of meditation as it can improve your overall mood and even relieve any pain.
Often linked to hypnosis, ASMR is believed to create a deep state of relaxation. Many people find techniques such as scalp massages, soothing noises, and methodical work like towel folding deeply relaxing.
ASMR has also been linked to mindfulness and meditation, which has helped people overcome sleep disorders such as insomnia. A 2015 study showed that a huge 98% of participants ‘agreed’ and ‘strongly agreed’ that they had sought out ASMR to help them relax.
Whilst most videos online are divided into different sections of ASMR sounds, some of these are combined together to create a sense of relaxation.
YouTuber ASMR Bakery shares deep and slow taps and scratches to help you fall asleep.
As well as ASMR videos, there are a range of podcasts available to listen to help you feel relaxed and calm. Here are some ASMR artists:
1. ASMR Darling – Since 2014, ASMR Darling has gained 2.44 million subscribers and over 400 million total video views.
2. Gibi ASMR – With now over 2.34 million subscribers, Gibi first started her channel three years ago and has since released hundreds of videos.
3. Maria Viktorovna (GentleWhispering) – Boasting over 1.78 million subscribers, Maria is 33 years old and lives in America producing ASMR videos on her YouTube channel.
4. Frivolous Fox ASMR – With a whopping 1.3 million subscribers, Lauren found her passion for ASMR back in 2016 and now has a huge community of followers.
5. Whispers Red ASMR – Emma Smith is a YouTuber from London and hosts a YouTube channel with over 840,000 subscribers.
See all articles by Anna Ashbarry
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