ASMR: How is it related to sleep?

Have you ever experienced ASMR?

ASMR is the new buzz that has taken the world by storm. Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is a feeling of pleasant scalp tingling you might experience when you stumble upon someone whispering, gently performing a task, or even during a massage, etc.

If you have never felt this, don’t worry. You are not alone. Not everyone experiences ASMR, and it is normal.

Let us now understand how an ASMR trigger feels.

It is a complex feeling to describe. An ASMR trigger originates in the crown of a person’s head and spreads down the neck and spine. A person feels rejuvenated and calm post this sensation.

Besides the tingling sensation, everyone might observe different effects of an ASMR. Some might feel content; for some, it might help with anxiety, while others can use it to fall asleep.

There are four common ASMR triggers:

1. Whispering 
2. Close personal attention
3. Slow and gentle movements 
4. Crisp sounds

Even though ASMR has been with us for years, it is not until recently this phenomenon has been named and defined.

Thus, the research around ASMR is still underway, and there is a lot of work to be done in this niche area.

How does ASMR help in sleeping?

Some studies, surveys, and anecdotal evidence suggest that there might be a relation between ASMR and sleep. People who have experienced an ASMR have observed this sensation consistently for years, and it has alleviated their moods and helped them sleep better.

These studies show that ASMR activates the regions of the brain that secrete dopamine and oxytocin, which are sleep-generating hormones.

Bedtime is also the most prime time when people love watching these ASMR videos. Eighty-one percent of people in a study reported that they prefer to watch ASMR videos before sleeping, while only six percent watch them before noon.

Falling asleep when you are stressed or depressed is difficult. An ASMR trigger eases your heart rate, helps in relaxing, and thus ultimately results in a peaceful sound sleep. Studies show that once people watch ASMR videos, they are relaxed for hours after it.

The top five ASMR tracks that can help you sleep better are as follows:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2c4L6ovffg
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc8Ye5rSKA4
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz2uGC1LFUo&t=1s
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl7J5wYfRm8
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU38g-evPEc&t=6s

ASMR is a very personal experience and differs from a person’s taste. What applies to one might not necessarily work for the other. You can try experimenting with various videos prevalent on the internet to check if you can experience an ASMR trigger.

Have a quiet environment around you, use headphones and enjoy the benefits of ASMR.