Induction of Relaxation by Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response

Abstract

Background: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is used by young people to induce relaxation and sleep and to reduce stress and anxiety; it comprises somatosensation caused by audiovisual stimuli (triggers) that lead to positive emotions. Auditory stimuli play the most important role among the triggers involved in ASMR and have been reported to be more triggering than visual stimuli. On the other hand, classical music is also known to have a relaxing effect. This is the first study to clarify the difference in brain activation associated with relaxation effects between ASMR and classical music by limiting ASMR to auditory stimulation alone.Methods: Thirty healthy subjects, all over 20 years of age, underwent fMRI while listening to ASMR and classical music. We compared the differences in brain activation associated with classical music and ASMR stimulation. After the experiment, the subjects were administered a questionnaire on somatosensation and moods. After the experiment, the participants were asked whether they experienced ASMR somatosensation or frisson. They were also asked to rate the intensity of two moods during stimulation: “comfortable mood,” and “tingling mood”.Result: The results of the questionnaire showed that none of the participants experienced any ASMR somatosensation or frisson. Further, there was no significant difference in the ratings given to comfort mood, but there was a significant difference in those given to tingling mood. In terms of brain function, classical music and ASMR showed significant activation in common areas, while ASMR showed activation in more areas, with the medial prefrontal cortex being the main area of activation during ASMR.Conclusion: Both classical music and the ASMR auditory stimulus produced a pleasant and relaxed state, and ASMR involved more complex brain functions than classical music, especially the activation of the medial prefrontal cortex. Although ASMR was limited to auditory stimulation, the effects were similar to those of listening to classical music, suggesting that ASMR stimulation can produce a pleasant state of relaxation even if it is limited to the auditory component, without the somatic sensation of tingling. ASMR stimulation is easy to use, and appropriate for wellness purposes and a wide range of people.

Comparison of autonomous sensory meridian response and binaural auditory beats effects on stress reduction: a pilot study

“…In both the ASMR and BB groups, subjective stress measured by questionnaires decreased to a similar extent. In the previous studies, the stress reduction effect between music and ASMR was the same, and produces a pleasant state of relaxation 9,16 . Mindfulness may involve spending specific time engaging in ASMR and therefore, www.nature.com/scientificreports/ when engaging in ASMR, the participant takes time to focus on the positive feelings triggered by the stimuli.…”

“…The beta waves are associated with emotions 24 , and can also be increased in stressful situations 25 . In functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, while classical music and ASMR display significant activation in similar areas, ASMR shows activation in more areas, primarily in the medial prefrontal cortex 16 . In an electroencephalogram study, ASMR experience was associated with increased alpha activity in the frontal www.nature.com/scientificreports/ sites 26 .…”

Comparison of Autonomous sensory meridian response and binaural auditory beats effects on stress reduction: A randomized double-blind trial

“…23 In functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, while classical music and ASMR display signi cant activation in similar areas, ASMR shows activation in more areas, primarily in the medial prefrontal cortex. 14 In an electroencephalogram study, ASMR experience was associated with increased alpha activity in the frontal sites. 24 Considering the inhibitory effect of the alpha, the enhanced alpha may re ect a suppression of distractors and an active effort to disengage attention from the stimuli.…”

“…In the previous studies, the stress reduction effect between music and ASMR was the same, and produces a pleasant state of relaxation. 9,14 Mindfulness may involve spending speci c time engaging in ASMR and therefore, when engaging in ASMR, the participant takes time to focus on the positive feelings triggered by the stimuli. This behavior is very similar to mindfulness practices, which many studies have shown to improve both mental and physical well-being.…”

The effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos versus walking tour videos on ASMR experience, positive affect and state relaxation

“…Despite this great popularity and the possible therapeutic potential of ASMR, a scientific evaluation of ASMR has hardly been conducted so far. First effects were recently demonstrated on aspects associated with mental health (inducing pleasant affect [ 1 – 3 ]; improving sleep quality [ 4 ]; inducing relaxation [ 3 , 5 ]; alleviating state anxiety [ 6 ]). Furthermore, initial evidence suggests that ASMR experience also triggers physiological responses.…”