ASMR

[Laila]

Just when I thought that MD was quirky enough to explain to people, I feel even weirder about ASMR... But now I am curious if any of you relate to this.

"Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a physical sensation characterized by a pleasurable tingling that typically begins in the head and scalp, and often moves down the spine and through the limbs.

Common external triggers:

• Exposure to slow, accented, or unique speech patterns
• Viewing educational or instructive videos or lectures
• Experiencing a high empathetic or sympathetic reaction to an event
• Enjoying a piece of art or music
• Watching another person complete a task, often in a diligent, attentive manner - examples would be filling out a form, writing a check, going through a purse or bag, inspecting an item closely, etc.
• Close, personal attention from another person
• Haircuts, or other touch from another on head or back"

 (Source: ASMR Research & Support)

My main triggers are the sounds produced from scratching things (carpet, table, skin), crumbling paper, brushing, and drawing/pencil erasing. I also like to watch people do the most mundane things, like painting their nails. There are loads of YouTube videos of people doing ASMR activities for up to an hour. I find them oddly entertaining and soothing. Most people in this group use these videos to relax or go to sleep...

Does anyone else here experience this?

[Rashomon Effect]

Yeah, I get that feeling when I eat chocolate.

If you get that feeling from watching people get their fingernails painted, you don't need no chocolate. GIVE ALL YOUR CANDY TO ME!

[Madelyn]

Yeah, I've heard of this before. I do get that to some extent, perhaps not as intensely as others. I remember ever since childhood this would happen, usually I get the accented or slow voice one, or if some one is in my "space" and I don't mind the closeness. It sounds kinda like a sexual thing, but for me its not, just feels warm and fuzzy.

[Laila]

NEVAR!

Rashomon Effect said:

Yeah, I get that feeling when I eat chocolate.

If you get that feeling from watching people get their fingernails painted, you don't need no chocolate. GIVE ALL YOUR CANDY TO ME!

[Laila]

I wouldn't describe it as a sexual feeling either. It just feels pleasant/relaxing... xD

Madelyn said:

Yeah, I've heard of this before. I do get that to some extent, perhaps not as intensely as others. I remember ever since childhood this would happen, usually I get the accented or slow voice one, or if some one is in my "space" and I don't mind the closeness. It sounds kinda like a sexual thing, but for me its not, just feels warm and fuzzy.

[Bethany]

Getting a haircut or having someone brush my hair relaxes me. I don't know it that counts or not. Sometimes when I'm watching tv and a really intense scene is on I get a tingly feeling all over my body. Again I don't know if that is the same thing or not.

[Sarah Beth]

Your post made me curious, so I looked up ASMR on YouTube, clicked on the video with a wooden box, and watched. It was extremely soothing, and after a minute or so I started feeling those tinglies. I have felt them before, but I had no idea they had a name! My triggers are audio (certain sounds - the fingernails brushing across the wood in the video was especially soothing) and touch. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[Laila]

@Bethany: I think the first one definitely counts since getting a haircut or close personal attention from another person is on the list. I also love it when someone brushes or just plays with my hair. I came across an ASMR video of that, but I don't know if you'd get the tingles for just watching someone else getting their hair brushed. For me it's not quite the same. For the second trigger (tv), do you get that from watching something highly emotional?

@Sarah Beth: And thanks for sharing your experience! It sounds like we really relate to this. I actually discovered ASMR videos by accident when I was just looking for vids on how to give a back massage lol. I'd love to watch the one about the wooden box, sounds sooo relaxing.

Here are a couple of my favorites: http://youtu.be/mqQVH_msya8 (cleaning camera) and http://youtu.be/9fRzsSY1n54 (brushing camera lens).

[Sarah Beth]

The video I watched was the first one on the list when I searched YouTube for ASMR. The thumbnail has two wooden animals on it. I've also discovered that I love watching and listening to wooden marble machines. :)