More than a feeling: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is characterized by reliable changes in affect and physiology

Abstract

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) describes the experience of tingling sensations in the crown of the head, in response to a range of audio-visual triggers such as whispering, tapping, and hand movements. Public interest in ASMR has risen dramatically and ASMR experiencers watch ASMR videos to promote relaxation and sleep. Unlike ostensibly similar emotional experiences such as “aesthetic chills” from music and awe-inspiring scenarios, the psychological basis of ASMR has not yet been established. We present two studies (one large-scale online experiment; one laboratory study) that test the emotional and physiological correlates of the ASMR response. Both studies showed that watching ASMR videos increased pleasant affect only in people who experienced ASMR. Study 2 showed that ASMR was associated with reduced heart rate and increased skin conductance levels. Findings indicate that ASMR is a reliable and physiologically-rooted experience that may have therapeutic benefits for mental and physical health.

Deep, soft, and dark sounds induce autonomous sensory meridian response

“…Piloerection during chills is innervated by the sympathetic nervous system (Lindsley and Sassaman, 1938; Craig, 2005). There is no consensus that the parasympathetic nervous system is involved in the ASMR (Poerio et al, 2018). A profound emotional experience, such as weeping, sometimes arises in response to music-induced chills (Sloboda, 1991; Panksepp, 1995; Mori and Iwanaga, 2017), but not in response to the ASMR.…”

Peer Review #2 of "A functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the autonomous sensory meridian response (v0.1)"

“…It is unclear whether the selfreport ratings of tingle intensity are comparable across participants (i.e., is unclear whether a 5/10 rating for one participant reflects the same ASMR intensity as a 5/10 rating from another participant). Future studies should acquire psychophysiological measures such as skin conductance responses and heart rate in order to provide a more valid measure of ASMR intensity (see Poerio et al, 2018). Finally, using a more temporally sensitive neuroimaging technique such as electroencephalography (EEG) or magnetoencephalography (MEG) would allow researchers to more precisely measure the time course of activity during the ASMR experience; specifically, these techniques could measure the location and frequency of neuronal activity immediately prior to and following the onset of ASMR tingles.…”

“…Self-report studies has consistently shown that ASMR is associated with a feeling of calm (Barratt & Davis, 2015;Fredborg et al, 2017). However, the psychophysiological data suggest that ASMR is a physiologically arousing experience as well (Poerio et al, 2018). Importantly, this pattern of autonomic activity is distinct from the increased heart rate associated with aesthetic chills such as the frisson experienced during the perception of emotional musical pieces (Benedek & Kaernbach, 2011;Grewe, Kopiez, & Altenmüüller, 2009).…”

“…These "tingles" are often accompanied by a calming feeling that many individuals report as being emotionally positive (Poerio, Blakey, Hostler, & Veltri, 2018). Previous survey research of individuals with ASMR has noted that the most common "ASMR triggers" are whispering, low-pitched repetitive noises such as tapping sounds, and videos depicting socially intimate situations (e.g., having one's hair brushed; Barratt & Davis, 2015;Barratt, Spence, & Davis, 2017).…”

“…A recent psychophysiological study has taken the investigation of ASMR one step further by measuring autonomic nervous system responses during the ASMR experience itself (Poerio, Blakey, Hostler, & Veltri, 2018). Poerio and colleagues found that viewing ASMR-eliciting videos led to an increase in skin conductance responses (SCR) and a decrease in heart rate in individuals with ASMR, but not in control participants.…”