Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response

[StarFright]

Good morning/afternoon/evening ENA'ers,

 

I saw a thread about a week or so ago and someone posted a link to this website on it, and I found it to be especially interesting because it is something that affects me so I wanted to share it.

 

For those who are unfamiliar with ASMR, a quick overview(you may even have it and not know!) :

 

 

 

Source:

 

 

I'm not partial to science of any form really so I can't explain why it happens so much, as what happens. I experienced this for as long as I can remember. Usually what happens is I will develop this amazing euphoric tingling sensation in my neck and up to my head, usually my scalp area. My breathing slows considerably, almost completely stops for a minute or two at a time and I feel incredibly relaxed almost to the point I fall asleep. This usually happens whenever I hear crinkling of paper, certain accents, soft voices, white noise, or is someone is playing with my hair. Unfortunately, this has happened to me while in class, which is completely distracting

 

The reason I am posting this is because I found video that are made for people who have ASMR, however these videos are also beneficial to those who need soothing sounds to help them relax or sleep. This person is kind enough to take the time to make numerous videos per request that are sound-sensitive, so if you have ASMR or are in need of soothing sounds that are otherwise unconventional, definitely give her videos a look.

 

Here is one to sample. So if anyone is currently awake right now and needing help to sleep, maybe this will do the trick!

Hope you guys find this as interesting as I did.

 

 

[offplanet]

How interesting! I haven't heard of that before.

[Silverbirch]

Hey thanks for that. I'll check it out. That was on a thread I started. I'm not a hundred per cent certain what it was that I experienced,but I hope it happens again. Lucky you to experience it frequently. Are you able to do anything to make it consciously happen. Is the video supposed to make one re-experience it?

[StarFright]

Glad you guys found it interesting

 

Hey thanks for that. I'll check it out. That was on a thread I started. I'm not a hundred per cent certain what it was that I experienced,but I hope it happens again. Lucky you to experience it frequently. Are you able to do anything to make it consciously happen. Is the video supposed to make one re-experience it?

 

What I've found is that certain trigger sounds can make it happen, but I can't necessarily make it happen willfully, especially without the sounds. It could be hit-or-miss. I've also learned that some triggers can actually wear it out. A good portion of the times I experienced this were totally accidental and random, usually whenever we had a guest speaker in one of my classes, seeing someone talk briefly on a documentary, etc. But after I hear them speak for a while, it wears off. The same effect happened when I watched too many of the ASMR videos; it wasn't working for me (although the sounds were still relaxing!) Not sure if the trigger no longer works or if it's temporary and will work again in the future.

 

The video I posted, as well as the others found all over youtube are presented to make those with ASMR experience it and possibly re-experience it, however since triggers vary it could take some research to find out what your "special" sound is. It's a pretty individual experience, I think.

[Silverbirch]

Thanks SF. I viewed the video. The tearing sound was a little icky for me. I did like looking at the beads, but sure I didn't experience what you describe.

 

When I get time,I will try and remember to check out some of the others.

[ASMR Freak]

I’ll just leave this here:

link removed

[xiaASMR]

I have been trying to figure out what my instant-trance-state condition is called when I hear certain keyboards typed on, pencil on paper, highlight marker on paper, chalk on board (even dry erase marker on board now), knitting needles clinking, sweeping, clipping fingernails, etc. I have asked therapists and have been looking online for YEARS with still no exact term or explanation of this! I've only been told "weird," "that's very strange..." "no, that doesn't happen to me," "you'd be a great candidate to be hypnotized!"

 

But FINALLY I have found the explanation: Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. And I am not alone! I honestly thought there was something wrong with my brain chemistry, but this makes me feel at ease that there are other people out there that are sensitive to this as I am--that actually relate. Amazing! I seriously want to open up a bottle of wine to celebrate this discovery (and all of YOU that can relate!!)

 

I started discovering this ASMR thing when I was in grade-school. Of course, it could have also been when I was an infant when my mom would vacuum around me purposefully. The whole hair-playing thing during story-time was another early memory, as StarFright mentioned. In fact, that entire list of common external triggers hit the nail on the head for me! It's absolutely amazing that I am actually reading this when I thought I was totally alone with this!

 

 

It IS COMPLETELY distracting, definitely. But it alleviates my anxiety, which is fantastic!

This sounds crazy, but before an exam, I would purposefully sit near a person typing on their laptop to ease my stress. Or even time myself to sit in the library when I knew the janitor would be sweeping around. haha! (I'm in pharmacy school, so I pretty much live in the library) I know that sounds absolutely absurd to most people, but maybe you all understand.

 

Glad to know that I'm not alone!