Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) � the relaxing �brain tingles� experienced by some people in response to specific triggers, such as whispering, tapping and slow hand movements � may have benefits for both mental and physical health, according to new research.
In the first study of its kind into the physiological underpinnings of ASMR, researchers from the University of Sheffield found that those who experience the phenomenon had significantly reduced heart rates while watching ASMR videos compared to people who do not experience ASMR.
ASMR is the sensation experienced by some people in response to specific sights and sounds, described as a warm, tingling and pleasant sensation starting at the crown of the head and spreading down the body. The �tingles� � sometimes described as �brain tingles� or �brain orgasms� � are typically accompanied by feelings of calm and relaxation.
There are more than 13 million ASMR videos on YouTube � including medical examinations, haircuts and massages and folding towel tutorials � which people watch to relax, relieve stress or sleep better. However, while there has been research into other similar experiences such as awe and music-induced chills, research into ASMR has been limited.
Dr Giulia Poerio, of the University of Sheffield�s Department of Psychology, said: �Lots of people report experiencing ASMR since childhood and awareness of the sensation has risen dramatically over the past decade due to internet sites such as YouTube and Reddit.
�However, ASMR has gone virtually unnoticed in scientific research which is why we wanted to examine whether watching ASMR videos reliably produces feelings of relaxation and accompanying changes in the body � such as decreased heart rate.�
Researchers from the University of Sheffield�s Department of Psychology investigated whether ASMR is a reliable and physiologically-rooted experience with the potential to benefit the physical and mental health of those who experience it.