Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a tingling sensation that gives you a feeling of calmness. The tingling sensation starts from your scalp and moves down towards your spine through the neck region. Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is experienced by only some specific people. ASMR is usually generated in response to specific audio-visual stimuli. Examples of such audio-visual stimuli are whispering sounds and careful hand movements.
Why Some People Love ASMR?
There has been little attention towards scientific reasoning of the ASMR in the past. However, in recent times, there has been some scientific exploration about ASMR. A few reasons for people’s love towards ASMR are in the following section. These reasons are based on studies and include the discussion of some physiological parameters.
1: Tingling Effect Gives Calmness
The ASMR or audio-visual tingling is experienced by only specific people. But, people who feel it have the same sensation as if someone is massaging or touching their body to make them calm. Like any other general touch, the tingling caused by ASMR slows down the conduction of some other senses. This slowing down of conduction of other senses makes you feel calm.
2: Slowing down of Heart Rate
In several studies, there has been a slowing down of heart rate in people who experienced ASMR. The average reduction in the heart is 3_4 beats/minute in people who experience ASMR. A lower heart rate is itself a good feeling. It is also an indication of less sympathetic activity. Less sympathetic activity is an indication of lower stress.
3: Positive Emotional Changes
According to the studies, the autonomous Sensory Meridian Response also affects the production of some neuroendocrine hormones. ASMR causes increased production of dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. Dopamine and endorphin are specifically associated with the feeling of positivity. The ultimate result is mood elevation.
4: Sense of Connectedness
If you experience, autonomous Sensory Meridian Response; you would also have a feeling of Connectedness. As we described above, there is the release of neuroendocrine hormones such as Oxytocin. Oxytocin is also called the love hormone. Hence, an elevated level of Oxytocin gives you a feeling of being loved. This feeling of being loved and connectedness improves your social life.
5: Skin Arousal
The tingling of the skin does not just give you calmness. Rather, it also gives you a feeling of arousal. This skin arousal is not related to sexual arousal but it is relaxing for many people.
The Takeaway Message
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is a tingling sensation that is experienced by some people in response to certain audio-visual stimuli. If you experience this feeling, you might love it. ASMR is loved by most of the people who experience it. It gives you a sense of calmness, Connectedness, and skin arousal. It is associated with positive emotional changes due to the release of certain neuroendocrine hormones such as endorphins and oxytocin. Studies have also shown lowering of heart rate in many people. The lowering of heart rate is an indication of reduced stress.
References
1: Poerio, G. L., Blakey, E., Hostler, T. J., & Veltri, T. (2018). More than a feeling: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is characterized by reliable changes in effect and physiology. PloS one, 13(6), e0196645. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196645
2: Lochte, B. C., Guillory, S. A., Richard, C., & Kelley, W. M. (2018). An fMRI investigation of the neural correlates underlying the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR). BioImpacts: BI, 8(4), 295–304. https://doi.org/10.15171/bi.2018.32
3: Barratt, E. L., & Davis, N. J. (2015). Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR): a flow-like mental state. PeerJ, 3, e851. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.851
4: Fredborg, B. K., Clark, J. M., & Smith, S. D. (2018). Mindfulness and autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR). PeerJ, 6, e5414. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5414
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