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Autonomous Sensory Pinnacle Response (ASMR): a flow-like mental land

Emma L. Barratt

Department of Psychology, Swansea Academy, Swansea, United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland

Nick J. Davis

Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom

Academic Editor: Markus Dahlem

Received 2014 Dec eighteen; Accustomed 2015 Mar 3.

Supplementary Materials

Appendix S1: Appendix: Original Questionnaire

DOI:10.7717/peerj.851/supp-ane

Data S1: Responses to original questionnaire (CSV format)

DOI:10.7717/peerj.851/supp-2

Supplemental Information three: E-post elaborations of synaesthetic experiences

DOI:ten.7717/peerj.851/supp-3

Abstract

Autonomous Sensory Superlative Response (ASMR) is a previously unstudied sensory phenomenon, in which individuals feel a tingling, static-like awareness across the scalp, back of the neck and at times farther areas in response to specific triggering audio and visual stimuli. This awareness is widely reported to exist accompanied by feelings of relaxation and well-beingness. The current report identifies several mutual triggers used to achieve ASMR, including whispering, personal attention, crisp sounds and slow movements. Data obtained likewise illustrates temporary improvements in symptoms of depression and chronic pain in those who engage in ASMR. A high prevalence of synaesthesia (5.9%) within the sample suggests a possible link between ASMR and synaesthesia, like to that of misophonia. Links between number of effective triggers and heightened flow state suggest that catamenia may be necessary to achieve sensations associated with ASMR.

Keywords: Autonomous sensory meridian response, ASMR, Synaesthesia, Synesthesia, Misophonia, Menstruation state, Mindfulness, Meditation, Low, Chronic hurting

Introduction

In recent years, there has been growing interest in a previously unknown sensory miracle, named Democratic Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) by those capable of experiencing information technology. Those who describe ASMR claim it to be an anomalous sensory experience which has thus far escaped the eye of scientific research. There is a suggestion that ASMR may exist of utilize for providing temporary relief to individuals with depression, stress and chronic hurting. As ASMR has received some media attention in recent months, many have taken to public forums to explain their ability to induce ASMR to ease symptoms of these atmospheric condition in cases where other routes of treatment may have been lacking or ineffective (Taylor, 2013; TheWaterwhispers, 2013), while others use ASMR exclusively equally a relaxation tool (Marsden, 2012). To date there has been no rigorous scientific exploration of ASMR, nor of the conditions which trigger or end the ASMR state.

Media designed specifically to produce ASMR has clustered a customs of thousands of members. Capable individuals employ a variety of visual and audio stimulation—nearly typically through video sharing—to achieve a tingling, static-like sensation widely reported to spread across the skull and downwardly the back of the cervix (Taylor, 2014). The appearance of online video communities has facilitated a gathering of those who feel ASMR, and as a result hundreds of videos accept been produced, viewed and shared with the goal of inducing this sensation, which is said to exist paired with a feeling of intense relaxation. A dedicated ASMR subgroup on Reddit (http://www.reddit.com/r/asmr/) boasts 86,000 subscribers from around the world, and some of the most popular ASMR content creators on video sharing site Youtube (http://youtube.com/), for example GentleWhispering have upward of 300,000 subscribers. Table ane lists a number of these popular sources on Youtube. These figures show that the culture surrounding ASMR is in no style insignificant. Several reputable international media outlets have reported on the attention this phenomenon is receiving, and the lack of scientific explanation. (Marsden, 2012; Tomchak, 2014).

Table ane

Popular ASMRtists.

Popular ASMR-related channels on YouTube. Counts right every bit of ten Dec 2014.

Proper noun	Aqueduct URL	Total views
WhisperTalkStudios	https://www.youtube.com/user/WhisperTalkStudios	218,900
GentleWhispering	https://www.youtube.com/user/GentleWhispering	88,311,107
MassageASMR	https://www.youtube.com/user/MassageASMR	46,575,761
Fairy Char ASMR	https://www.youtube.com/user/feirychaRstaRs	9,008,828
Ephemeral Rift	https://world wide web.youtube.com/user/EphemeralRift	27,053,163
ASMRRequests	https://www.youtube.com/user/ASMRrequests	648,590
TheUKASMR	https://world wide web.youtube.com/user/TheUKASMR	vii,734,238

Though stimuli used to induce ASMR are widely varied, and devotees report that private differences play a pivotal role in the effectiveness of each video, distinct themes appear to be nowadays in ASMR media. Exploration of the nigh viewed ASMR media on Youtube uncovers what may be discrete categories of common triggers. For example, many of these videos draw role play situations, in which the viewer is placed in a position of 'close proximity' to another person in order to exist cared for in some manner. Often this involves preparation (e.yard., MassageASMR; Fairy Char ASMR), or being given some type of medical examination (eastward.thousand., WhisperTalkStudios). The tone of these types of ASMR media is usually one of having close attention paid to you, the viewer, with videos shot in a point of view manner. Other videos include acts which crave a similar amount of focus, but directed towards objects, rather than the viewer (e.g., Ephemeral Rift).

ASMR videos also typically announced to include an emphasis on the use of sound to trigger the static sensation of ASMR, which include the subjects of these videos cycling through a variety of household items which brand diverse noises when tapped upon or used (e.g., MassageASMR). On the surface, this trigger resulting in sensation seems quite similar to the experience of synaesthesia, a miracle in which specific external stimuli cause an internal experience in a 2nd, unstimulated modality (Banissy, Jonas & Kadosh, 2014). The reported automated, consequent response to audio-visual stimuli which is felt in tactile sensory modalities alongside a feeling of at-home does appear to resemble synaesthesia in these aspects, though the tactile concurrents (secondary sensations in the unstimulated modality; Cytowic, 2002) found in ASMR appear to be more tangible than those experienced in synaesthesia (ie. tingling on the pare). Even with this being the instance, the positive emotional response of calm said to exist triggered by ASMR media consumption could potentially be considered a class of sound-emotion synaesthesia.

Reports of ASMR experiences also announced to share some features with the state of "flow," which is the state of intense focus and diminished awareness of the passage of fourth dimension that is oft associated with optimal operation in several activities, including sport (Csikszentmihalyi & Csikzentmihaly, 1991; Swann et al., 2014). Anecdotal reports of ASMR draw states of focus, of greater "presence" and of relaxation which are consistent with the non-active aspects of period.

The aim of the current study was to depict the sensations associated with ASMR, explore the ways in which information technology is typically induced in capable individuals, and to provide further thoughts on where this sensation may fit into current knowledge on atypical perceptual experiences. This research also aims to explore the extent to which engagement with ASMR may ease symptoms of depression and chronic pain. As ASMR has all the same to be defined within scientific literature, this study will utilize survey data and qualitative descriptive contributions from participants to explore the characteristics of ASMR, and to provide a basis for later experimental investigation.

Materials and Methods

Participants

The sample of the present written report was comprised of 245 men, 222 women and 8 individuals of non-binary gender (North = 475). These participants presented themselves as volunteers via online advertizement on specialised ASMR interest groups on Facebook and Reddit. The age of the sample ranged from 18 to 54 years (mean = 24.6 years, st. dev. = 7 years). Volunteers were located worldwide, with particular participation from the U.s.a. and Western Europe. All individuals in the sample cocky-reported to have experienced ASMR and regularly consume ASMR media.

Method

An online questionnaire (www.qualtrics.com, Version 36,892) was conducted in order to get together information on the prevalence of particular features of ASMR, when and why individuals engage in ASMR, and the relation of ASMR to other known phenomenon. Ethical blessing was granted past the Section of Psychology of Swansea University, and continuation from the initial screen of this questionnaire, which contained a brief summary of the research topic and all necessary ethical information, served as informed consent. The construction of this questionnaire is described below, and a version of the text of the questionnaire is included every bit Appendix S1:

Section ane—demographics

Demographic information, including whether or not individuals suffered from whatsoever chronic illness or took medications, was gathered at the beginning of the survey. In improver, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2; Beck, Steer & Brown, 1996) and Brook Feet Inventory (BAI; Beck et al., 1988) were included to give insight on the daily mood of participants. Equally several online sources indicate the being of a subset of ASMR media users who appoint in ASMR to manage symptoms of low, stress, or pain, this information would be used to explore efficacy of ASMR in easing symptoms of these weather. Participants were asked to verify that they identified as able to experience ASMR and the tingling sensations commonly associated with ASMR. No leading elaboration was given with regard to this sensation, every bit all participants had been recruited via ASMR social network groups, and would therefore be aware of how this aspect of the phenomenon is typically described. This was an attempt to limit imposing researcher assumptions most ASMR. In this section, participants were likewise given a definition of synaesthesia, alongside some examples of synaesthetic associations. Participants were asked to report if they suspected they may feel any type of synaesthesia. Those who responded in a positive or unsure way were asked to specify which blazon of synaesthesia they idea they may have, and were followed up approximately four weeks later on via e-mail to be assessed for consistency.

Section 2—viewing habits

This section included questions pertaining to how ofttimes participants engaged in ASMR media sessions, how many videos they consumed in a single session, and at what fourth dimension of twenty-four hours they typically viewed ASMR media. Questions regarding the optimal conditions to feel ASMR were also included.

Department iii—triggers

Participants were asked to report whether or non they experienced any of the triggers in a list of 9 given stimuli: Well-baked sounds, whispering, personal attention, vacuum noise, plane dissonance, laughing, grinning, watching repetitive tasks, and ho-hum movements. Of these suggestions, 5 possible triggers were inspired past the typical content of ASMR videos (e.g., Close personal attention, crisp sounds) and 4 were unlikely triggers (vacuum noise, aeroplane racket, laughing, smiling). These unlikely triggers are commonly nowadays in ASMR videos, but are not commonly identified in titles or online discussions, and then were considered to be unlikely to produce tingles in many participants. This section included a comment box in which participants could specify what, if anything, abolished the tingling sensations. Preference of receiving auditory triggers in one ear over another was too probed.

Section iv—location

In order to more conspicuously ascertain the location and fourth dimension course of the tingling sensation associated with ASMR, participants were asked to written report where on their body they typically felt tingles originate, and whether or not the sensation ever originated in that area. Participants were also asked whether or non the tingling evolved or spread with intensity, and if so, which other body areas the tingling awareness spread to.

Section 5—'Why do you lot spotter ASMR videos?'

This department presented several likert manner statements to be rated from 'strongly concord' to 'strongly disagree' in terms of how well each represented individuals' experiences of ASMR and ASMR media. These included statements concerning mood and arousal command, such as 'I watch ASMR videos to relieve negative mood,' '…to deal with anxiety,' and '…to relieve stress.' Farther, more than generalised statements, such as 'I know what triggers my ASMR,' 'I watch ASMR videos for sexual stimulation,' and 'ASMR videos help me focus' were included to obtain a rounded view of why participants choose to appoint with ASMR media.

Section 6—flow country scale

Since the reported ASMR experience shares some features with that of the 'flow' state (Csikszentmihalyi & Csikzentmihaly, 1991), we used a reduced version of the Flow State Scale (Jackson & Marsh , 1996) to quantify this experience. We selected only the 8 questions relating to the passive experience of flow. Participants scored their agreement with statements such every bit "Things seem to happen automatically" on a 5-point calibration. These scores were initially subjected to factor assay to confirm that only a single cistron had been captured in the reduced questionnaire. Combined scores, equanimous of the sum of the scores of the components, were then submitted to Pearson's Correlation to investigate links between catamenia state and trigger thresholds.

Section 7—Effect on mood and chronic pain

Using an interactive sliding scale ranging from 0 to 100, participants were asked to rate their experience of mood during a typical mean solar day, direct before, during, one hr after and three h later a successful ASMR media viewing session. These ratings were given at the same time, i.e., not during the ASMR state. 0 on this scale represented 'terrible, the worst I've ever felt,' whereas 100 represented 'euphoric, the all-time I've ever felt.' Participants who before indicated that they suffered from chronic hurting were as well asked to complete a version of this task with the intensity of their pain symptoms in mind.

Data analysis

Where possible, analyses were conducted on the unabridged sample (N = 475). However, due to certain sections being inapplicable to some participants, some sections included data from a subset of the unabridged sample. In these cases, N is reported alongside the results. All analyses were carried out in SPSS and Microsoft Excel. A copy of the data from this experiment are included equally Data S1.

Results

Why appoint in ASMR?

Through Likert way questions, participants largely sought out ASMR equally an opportunity for relaxation, with 98% of individuals agreeing, or like-minded strongly with this argument. In a similar vein, 82% agreed that they used ASMR to assistance them slumber, and 70% used ASMR to bargain with stress. A small number of individuals (5%) reported using ASMR media for sexual stimulation, with the vast majority of participants (84%) disagreeing with this notion.

Many participants described boosted details of seeking the effects of ASMR where other interventions, medical or otherwise, had been unable to assistance. This is maybe best illustrated by a correspondence from i participant whose anxiety and stress was causing meaning issues in his daily functioning. After noticing during a hairdressing appointment that he felt at ease, he sought out means to replicate this feeling daily in order to manage his symptoms, and in the process discovered ASMR media. In his own words:

"I was totally amazed, I tin can merely draw what I started feeling equally an extremely relaxed trance like country, that I didn't desire to finish, a petty like how I have read perfect meditation should be but I never always accomplished."

Common triggers

Analysis of responses found four prominent categories of triggers, each experienced by over 50% of participants. These triggers are whispering (75%), personal attention (69%), crisp sounds (64%) and wearisome movements (53%). 34% of participants also reported that their ASMR was triggered by watching repetitive tasks. Triggers less commonly associated with ASMR media (smile, vacuum cleaner noise, aeroplane noise, and laughing) were included for comparison. Each of these not-triggers were in each case reported to be effective by less than iii% of participants. These values are illustrated in Table 2. Some individuals reported only existence triggered by new viewing material, in which they are unable to predict which trigger will be presented next.

Tabular array 2

Common triggers.

Percentage of participants that reported induction of tingling sensations from each trigger blazon.

Trigger type	Percent of participants triggered
Whispering	75%
Personal attending	69%
Crisp sounds (metallic foil, tapping fingernails, etc.)	64%
Slow movements	53%
Repetitive movements	36%
Grinning	13%
Aeroplane noise	iii%
Vacuum cleaner racket	2%
Laughing	2%

The nigh common time for date with ASMR media was reported to be before going to sleep at night, with 81% of participants reporting this as their preferred time. 4% of participants engaged in ASMR upon waking, 2% participated during the morning to midday. 30% of participants as well reported viewing ASMR media in their spare time, regardless of the time of day.

When asked if participants preferred any specific environmental atmospheric condition for viewing, 52% responded 'yes.' Submitted comments suggested that of these, individuals near universally preferred repose, relaxed weather condition in society to achieve ASMR from online media. Many also specified preference for binaural headphones, and so as to experience depth of sound.

Almost participants reported having their get-go experience of ASMR at historic period five (65 individuals), with the vast majority (241 individuals) reporting the first experience of ASMR between five and ten years of age. There were also several instances of ASMR being first experienced further into adulthood—41 individuals reported their commencement ASMR experience as happening afterward historic period xviii.

Experience of ASMR

Participants widely reported sensations similar to that establish in full general reporting of ASMR; a tingling awareness which originated typically towards the back of the scalp and progressed down the line of the spine and, in some cases, out towards the shoulders. Many participants too felt that their lower back, artillery and legs experienced the awareness, though the amount of area the tingles covered seemed to be adamant past the extent to which individuals had been triggered.

Sixty-3 per centum of participants reported the tingling sensation associated with ASMR to originate consistently in one part of their body, while 27% said this origin varied. Of those that reported a consistent origin, the static tingling sensation was reported to typically originate on the back of the head (41%) and shoulders (29%). When intense, this sensation is able to extend downwards the line of the spine (l%), arms (25%) and legs (21%), though this does non occur in every session, and every private does non feel the aforementioned route. An illustration of the most common path of these sensations is provided in Fig. 1.

ASMR Map.

An illustration of the road of ASMR's tingling awareness. Image shows rear view of the head and upper body. Capable individuals typically experience the sensation as originating at the back of the caput, spreading across the scalp and down the back of the cervix. Half of participants reported that this sensation typically spreads to the shoulders and back with increasing intensity. Though this diagram represents the most common areas involved in the tingling sensation, there is a huge amount of private variation in where tingles spread to with increased intensity, with legs and arms likewise commonly reported as hotspots in some individuals.

Medications which affect ASMR

Of the sample who reported taking medication, only three participants responded positively when asked if they had noted effects of any of their medications on ASMR. One participant noted that their antidepressant stifled sensations of ASMR, which afterwards returned once they stopped taking the medication, though they did not specify which. Some other noted that sleeping pills dulled their ASMR feel. A third reported that Clonazepam decreased the sensations associated with ASMR. Six participants responded that their medication had no issue on ASMR. One hundred and three other participants who use medication were unsure every bit to the effect of their medication on their experience of ASMR.

Effect on mood

Eighty pct of participants responded positively when asked if ASMR has an issue of their mood, while fourteen% were unsure and 6% felt that ASMR did not alter their mood. When submitted to a mixed ANOVA with factors for fourth dimension (earlier, during, immediately following and 3 h after ASMR) and for depression status (high, medium or low every bit defined by the BDI), we found a pregnant chief effect of time on mood [F(3.06, 1143.0), p < 0.0005]. Pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences between all timeframes (p < 0.0005 in all cases). Participants reportedly felt best while they are engaging with ASMR media, with reports on the 0 to 100 scale of positive mood averaging at 78 for this time catamenia. The event on mood steadily decreased over the course of several hours. Means for all time frames are reported in Fig. 2. This effect is moderated past severity of depression, with people at higher risk of low showing a more rapid decline in mood score over fourth dimension [F(10, 2360) = xx.217, p < 0.0005] still, there was also a correlation betwixt BDI scores and the difference in mood score between baseline and immediately after an ASMR experience, suggesting that people with higher low scores had the greatest benefit from engaging in ASMR [r = 0.439, p < 0.0005].

BDI graph.

The time course of mood before, during, immediately post-obit, and several hours afterward engaging in ASMR. Information shown is the mean mood score given to each time frame by all participants (N = 475), with participants grouped co-ordinate to their Beck Depression Alphabetize. Mood scores could range from 0 to 100, 0 representing the worst the individual had always felt, 100 representing the best they accept e'er felt. Fault bars represent ±1 standard error.

50 pct of participants said their mood improved even in sessions when no tingling sensation was produced, while thirty% said that achieving this awareness was vital to mood comeback.

Lx-9 percent of those who scored moderate to severe on the BDI reported using ASMR to ease their symptoms of depression (N = seventy). Those scoring as depressed reported a mean comeback in mood of 38.75 (STD = eighteen.85), in comparison to a mean comeback of 21.33 (STD = xiii.58) in non-depressed participants.

Issue on chronic hurting

30-viii individuals with chronic pain reported that ASMR improved their symptoms. xiii were unsure of ASMR's impact on their symptoms. Twoscore did not believe that ASMR had an impact on their symptoms of chronic pain. Analyses were carried out on the responses of individuals who responded positively and unsurely to this department. Half dozen individuals who originally reported issues with chronic pain were omitted due to incomplete data. Data analysis was therefore carried out on 45 cases.

Self-report data for before, during, immediately after and three h after ASMR were analysed using a one way ANOVA, and were establish to significantly differ [F(3, 132) = xiii.892, p < 0.0005)]. Pairwise comparisons revealed there to be a significant departure in chronic pain symptoms before and during ASMR (p < 0.0005), a difference which was maintained 3 hours following ASMR (p = 0.014). There was no significant difference between symptoms of chronic pain during and immediately subsequently ASMR (p = 1.00), nor was there a difference betwixt during and 3 h later ASMR (p = 0.21).

Period state

Fifty cases did non take complete data for the menses country questionnaire, so were removed from analysis. We were interested in whether people who experience the menstruum land more readily also feel the ASMR state more than readily. To examine this nosotros took the sum of each participant's responses on the flow state questionnaire and correlated this with the full number of ASMR triggers each person reported, from the list of commonly-reported triggers (i.east., whispering, crisp sounds, personal attending, repetitive actions, slow movements, smiling, water pouring). Nosotros used a non-parametric Spearman's test, equally the trigger information tended to fall into a small number of values. Nosotros institute a highly significant relationship between flow feel and number of triggers, with greater menses experience being associated with a larger number of triggers [rho = 0.936, p < 0.01]. This relationship is shown in Fig. three.

Flow and Triggers effigy.

Relationship between participants' susceptibility to the catamenia state (expressed every bit a sum of the scores on the modified Flow State Scale) and the number of triggers of the ASMR state.

Familial links

When asked if they knew of any family members who experienced ASMR, 38 participants responded positively, 59 responded negatively, and the remaining 378 were unsure or had not inquired. The relations most oftentimes identified as experiencing ASMR were sisters (17 individuals), mothers (11), brothers (7) and fathers (4). There were also reports of grandparents experiencing ASMR, though every bit relational distance increased fewer individuals were reported to be known every bit able to feel ASMR. It is likely that the perceived strangeness and stigma many individuals feel surrounds ASMR, has prevented many from request if other individuals within their family experience something similar. The reports gathered through this research, however, do announced to signal a familial attribute to the ability to feel ASMR.

Synaesthesia

Synaesthesia appeared to be particularly prevalent within the sample. Xxx-5 participants reported experiencing diverse subtypes synaesthesia and, after exploration of the consistency of concurrents through a follow up interview, 29 of these cases were assessed to be genuine. This places the prevalence of synaesthesia within the sample at 5.ix%, compared the current guess of prevalence in the general population of 4.4% (Simner et al., 2006), however, our value brutal slightly curt of being significantly college than the general population (Z = 1.594, p = 0.0555). Participants reported several subtypes, including grapheme-colour, grapheme-personality, time-space and pain-gustatory synaesthesia.

Some comments submitted seem to resemble the inducer-concurrent human relationship in synaesthesia. 1 private described the tingling sensation as changeable depending on the gender of the vocalisation in the ASMR video she was currently watching. She reported that a female voice would cause the tingles to extend more strongly down i leg, whereas a male vocalism would increment the awareness in the other leg. Several individuals responded similarly, specifying that 'different triggers hit different parts,' Withal, without more data information technology is difficult to ascertain whether like experiences are common amongst ASMR capable individuals.

Discussion

ASMR can be defined as a combination of positive feelings, relaxation and a distinct, static-similar tingling sensation on the peel. This awareness typically originates on the scalp in response to a trigger, travelling down the spine, and can spread to the back, arms and legs as intensity increases. An increase in intensity tin can be achieved through experiencing further triggers.

Those who are able to can appoint in ASMR through specialised media at whatsoever time, given that the environment in which they attempt to do so is serenity and calm. Many report being triggered by viewing others engaged in focused, precise tasks, past having close personal attention paid to them, or by any number of audio stimuli, such equally whispering, tapping or other well-baked sounds. Though the effectiveness of various triggers is subject to private differences, about who experience ASMR can be induced by the in a higher place categories of stimuli, either through watching specially designed media, or by coming beyond triggers in daily life. In capable individuals, ASMR is used mainly to achieve relaxation and for stress relief purposes.

Uplifting mood and pain relief

The results of this report propose that ASMR also provides temporary relief in mood for those suffering from depression, with many individuals consciously using it for this purpose. Individuals whose scores on the BDI suggested moderate to severe depression reported a significantly more uplifting result of engaging in ASMR than those without depression. Those suffering from symptoms of chronic pain too benefitted from ASMR, seeing a significant reduction in their discomfort for several hours following an ASMR session.

Many reported that fifty-fifty in the absenteeism of tingling sensations, they felt that their mood and symptoms of hurting had been improved. Information technology is possible that devoting specific time to engaging in ASMR, watching relaxed scenes play out and sitting quietly could be considered a course of mindfulness (Langer, 1989). Those who engage in ASMR take time to focus on positive emotions triggered by these stimuli, focusing exclusively on this the task at manus. This behaviour is very reminiscent of mindfulness practices, which have already been shown past several studies to accept positive outcome on both conditions (Kabat-Zinn, Lipworth & Burney, 1985; Segal, Williams & Teasdale, 2012). This categorisation of ASMR equally an practice in mindfulness meditation perhaps best explains the improvements in mood observed in both depressed and non-depressed participants in this study.

Obtaining flow state

Individuals who scored highly on catamenia measures reported regularly experiencing a higher number of triggers. This suggests that those who are able to more readily experience menses state during ASMR media consumption are susceptible to more frequent ASMR experiences during their sessions.

Many ASMR videos show individuals in highly focused states (e.g., performing medical exams) or engaged in repetitive tasks (e.g., folding towels). The behaviour of performers during these types of videos ofttimes resembles that of someone in catamenia state—confidently and accurately executing precise tasks. Information technology may exist that ASMR is brought about by obtaining a flow-like state, which is in part facilitated by witnessing others in such a state. Like transference of land from performers to audition have been observed in studies probing the role of mirror neurons (Rizzolatti, Sinigaglia & Anderson, 2008). Higher levels of period may in turn facilitate triggers to be obtained, as could be indicated by results of this written report.

Links with synaesthesia

The prevalence of synaesthesia of any type inside the current study'south sample was 5.ix%, which is high for the estimated prevalence of 4.four% in the full general population (Simner & Hubbard, 2013). Although the figure reported hither did not exceed the estimated level to a statistically significant caste, we would propose there may be a relationship between the two phenomena. In emotional subtypes of synaesthesia, individuals feel moved to various emotions by inducing stimuli which should, in theory, have no emotional outcome on them (e.g., tactile-emotion synaesthesia; Ramachandran & Brang, 2008). This sounds strikingly similar to the experience of emotion in ASMR, where emotionally neutral sounds such as borer and paper tearing, or visual stimuli such equally tasks requiring close concentration, bring about a consistent relaxing, stress relieving, positive emotional response.

Information technology is, nonetheless, as well worth exploring whether or not the experience of ASMR ends with automatic positive emotional reactions to neutral sound and visual stimuli. In that location may too be merit in exploring automatic negative emotional reactions to external stimuli, and assessing any relation of such an experience to ASMR. Within literature surrounding synaesthesia, a related phenomenon that fits this clarification does exist, and is known equally misophonia. Those who experience misophonia (literally 'hatred of sound') have automatic negative emotional reactions to particular sounds—the opposite of what can be observed in reactions to specific audio stimuli in ASMR. For case, sufferers report that noises made by humans, such as 'loud animate or nose sounds' of any book tin produce feelings of disgust, anger, or hatred in a manner which cannot be explained by previously learned associations. (Schröder, Vulink & Denys, 2013) Though this condition has not yet been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), at that place has been motility for misophonia to be recognised as a psychiatric disorder in future revisions, and links betwixt this phenomenon and other perceptual atypicalities such as synaesthesia have been constitute (Edelstein, Brang & Ramachandran, 2012).

There are distinct similarities between the feel of ASMR and Misophonia. In both phenomena, triggering sounds originate from human movements and behaviours. Reactions to these stimuli automatic in both cases, unexplained past previously learned associations, and have some consistency (with the possible exception of some individuals becoming habituated to triggers from ASMR media they have previously viewed). The nowadays study suggests that ASMR, similarly to misophonia, may have a relationship with synaesthesia. Indeed, both experiences seem to follow somewhat synaesthetic patterns; particular inducers (external stimuli, such as whispering, close attending, etc.) produce concurrents (internal perceptual/sensational experiences—in the case of ASMR, tingling and relaxation) in a somewhat predictable manner. It may exist the example that ASMR and misophonia are two ends of the same spectrum of synaesthesia-like emotional responses. Whether this hypothetical spectrum, or indeed ASMR alone, tin can exist classified as a type of sound-emotion synaesthesia is still, debateable.

The main event with relating ASMR to synaesthesia is that, from the data collected hither, there does appear to exist a difference betwixt the two in terms of tangibility of concurrents. Whereas synaesthetic concurrents are described as 'having a noesis or sensation of a sure concurrent' (Simner & Hubbard, 2013), the tingling sensation associated with ASMR is described in a very physical sense. If we were to consider the concurrent of ASMR as a tingling sensation, as described by participants of the current study, we could with virtually certainty say that ASMR is non a subtype of synaesthesia. Nonetheless, this neglects the presence of positive emotions which accompany the tingling sensation. It may exist that ASMR is the positive end of a spectrum of a audio/emotion synaesthesia, and that this tingling sensation is a secondary phenomenon resulting from intensely positive feelings, rather than the main concurrent. The information collected seems to support this, as many participants reported feeling relaxation and positive emotions fifty-fifty in the absence of a tingling awareness.

However, there is no mention in misophonia enquiry of whatever negative counterpart to the tingling sensation establish in ASMR. If ane were looking for a truly polar contrary sensation, it may be expected to observe numbness in the skin or an irritating awareness nowadays. It must be considered, nevertheless, that perhaps the opposite of this tingling sensation is non irritation, but actually the general level of sensation that might be expected in typical individuals. Rather than this aspect lying on a continuum from irritation to typical sensation to pleasant tingling, it is a smaller continuum betwixt typical sensation and pleasant tingling, with many shades of greyness between the 2.

Time to come directions for research

Though the age of the sample in the present study suggests engaging in ASMR is primarily an endeavour of young adults: this is probable to exist reflective of limitations in the sampling method. Several individuals above age twoscore provided input via this questionnaire, and some participants spontaneously reported being aware that i of their parents and/or their children also experienced what they believe to be the same the sensation. This would suggest that the young age of the sample is more likely a production of user demographic of Facebook and Reddit than an accurate representation of ASMR capable individuals' ages. In the current report, synaesthesia was tested for consistency via eastward-mail interview. As the subtypes reported by participants were so varied, some immeasurable past the standard Test of Genuineness (TOG-R; Asher et al., 2006), interview was favoured over electronic tests of consistency such as those found on synaesthete.org (Eagleman et al., 2007). We advise that futurity studies into ASMR include rigorous controls for synaesthetic experience.

While ASMR appears to be a 18-carat, relatively prevalent perceptual feel, the verbal nature of the phenomenon is still unknown. There is the possibility that the tingles associated with ASMR result from a minor seizure, brought on by appropriate stimuli. This has been hypothesised in the past (Novella, 2012), but as of still remains uninvestigated. In this vein, research utilising neuroimaging methods such every bit fMRI may farther our understanding encephalon regions involved in ASMR. fMRI investigations in detail, however, have potential to testify problematic, as results of the current written report show that individuals overwhelmingly require specific, quiet and relaxed conditions to reach the desired sensation. An culling avenue of research might be the use of so-chosen not-invasive encephalon stimulation (Davis & van Koningsbruggen, 2013) to modulate brain action during ASMR. Techniques such every bit transcranial directly current or magnetic stimulation (tDCS, TMS) are known to induce multisensory experiences, often as an unintended side-effect of stimulation (Davis et al., 2013). Given the historic period demographic of ASMR consumers, we note that brain stimulation techniques should exist used sparingly in younger people (Davis, 2014).

Further exploration into ASMR'due south relationship with Misophonia may also yield interesting results. Studies examining the co-occurrence of Misophonia and ASMR may shed more than light on the possibility that these two experiences are related, or potentially opposite poles of the same spectrum. Similarly, the human relationship with synaesthesia suggested by the results of this enquiry should be taken farther, using more than robust consistency measures to verify that the high instance of synaesthesia in ASMR capable individuals. The suggestion that ASMR and Misophonia may be related was based primarily on similarities in reaction to auditory stimuli. Though sounds play a pivotal role in ASMR, information technology would besides be advantageous to investigate the role of visual stimuli alone in triggering viewers, as such stimuli involving precise movements and focused tasks appear to exist constructive while existence nearly silent.

Conclusions

We have provided the commencement investigation into the miracle of autonomic sensory meridian response (ASMR). ASMR tin be induced, in those who are susceptible, past a fairly consistent ready of triggers. Given the reported benefits of ASMR in improving mood and hurting symptoms, nosotros suggest that ASMR warrants further investigation every bit a potential therapeutic mensurate similar to that of meditation and mindfulness.

Funding Statement

The authors declare there was no funding for this work.

Additional Information and Declarations

Competing Interests

The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Author Contributions

Emma L. Barratt conceived and designed the experiments, performed the experiments, analyzed the data, contributed reagents/materials/assay tools, wrote the newspaper, prepared figures and/or tables, reviewed drafts of the newspaper.

Nick J. Davis analyzed the data, contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools, wrote the newspaper, prepared figures and/or tables, reviewed drafts of the paper.

Human Ideals

The following information was supplied relating to ethical approvals (i.e., approving torso and whatsoever reference numbers):

Swansea University Department of Psychology Ethics Committee. Approving received via electronic statement: "Your proposed study 'An investigation into Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response as cocky-medication,' has been reviewed and is approved. Provided that the data obtained is kept absolutely confidential and that no personally identifiable data is entered on computer, y'all may proceed with your studies."

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Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4380153/

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