Similar but different: High prevalence of synesthesia in autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR)

Abstract

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a complex sensory-emotional experience characterized by pleasant tingling sensations initiating at the scalp. ASMR is triggered in some people (called ASMR-responders) by stimuli including whispering, personal attention, and crisp sounds (termed ASMR triggers). Since its inception, ASMR has been likened to synesthesia, but convincing empirical data directly linking ASMR with synesthesia is lacking. In this study, we examined whether the prevalence of synesthesia is indeed significantly higher in ASMR-responders than non-responders. A sample of working adults and students (N = 648) were surveyed about their experience with ASMR and common types of synesthesia. The proportion of synesthetes who were classified as ASMR-responders was 52%, whereas 22% of ASMR-responders were also synesthetes. These results suggest that: (1) over half of those identifying as synesthetes also experience ASMR, and (2) that synesthesia is up to four times as common among ASMR-responders as among non-responders (22% vs. 5%). Findings also suggest a prevalence rate for ASMR of approximately 20%. Overall, the co-occurrence of ASMR and synesthesia lends empirical support to the idea that ASMR may be driven by synesthetic mechanisms, but future research would benefit from examining how ASMR and synesthesia are different, as well as similar.

The relaxation effect of autonomous sensory meridian response depends on personal preference

“…The insular cortex also integrates the internal senses, which recognize the conscious perception of bodily responses, such as visceral sensation and autonomic control, with external senses, such as emotion and empathy ( Uddin et al, 2017 ). This cross-sensory (decreased heart rate) and extrasensory (increased activity in somatosensory, motor, visual, and auditory cortices) activity is associated with the positive effects of ASMR on emotion via the autonomic nervous system ( Poerio et al, 2022 ). We believe that the present study provides support that this cross-activity response occurs because of preferred ASMR videos, although not tingling.…”

Caresses, whispers and affective faces: A theoretical framework for a multimodal interoceptive mechanism underlying ASMR and affective touch

“…Although the observed phenomenon bears resemblance to synesthetic experiences, there appear to be distinct variations that differentiate it from traditional synesthesia. [ 51 ] Future studies on ASMR should consider exploring the phenomenon as a spectrum regarding how audio‐visual stimuli affect physiological regulation in individuals rather than relying solely on self‐reporting of tingling sensation. On the other hand, it would also be interesting to investigate whether such cross‐modal connections can be established in adulthood through repeated exposure to these stimuli, using a longitudinal approach.…”

Brain circuits in autonomous sensory meridian response and related phenomena

“…Individuals with a SPS trait are easily overstimulated by external stimuli, and research has shown that their ASMR intensity is associated with SPS levels [8]. Synaesthesia is a phenomenon where a stimulus in one sensory modality elicits sensations in that modality and other modalities, and a higher prevalence of synaesthesia has been found among ASMR responders [1,6,9]. AIWS is a neurological condition known for distorted perception of the body and space, and it shares a distortion of time perception with ASMR.…”

“…The estimated prevalence of ASMR ranges from 23.5 to 28% [5,6]. The common ASMR triggers include auditory and audio-visual stimuli made with persons whispering, eating, and using objects to make sounds [2].…”