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What is ASMR, you ask? Short for autonomous sensory meridian response, the sensation is taking YouTube by storm. It’s characterized by a tingling, sometimes static-like feeling that begins in the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine.
It’s soothing, relaxing, and puts you in the zone (though the science behind it remains up in the air).
Below are 8 more interesting facts about the growing trend that will surely be making its way into the mainstream in the coming months.
#8. Bob Ross is the O.G. ASMR
He might have died 15 years before the phrase was coined, but Ross’s rhythmic brushstrokes, scraping knife, and soothing voice encouraged people who had zero interest in painting to tune in and watch him create “happy little trees.”
#7. It’s a physical response as well as an emotional one.
Studies show that the reaction to stimuli (like a song you enjoy) is a physical reaction – participants were connected to biological feedback machinery and researchers saw their heart rates slow and their skin conductance levels increase during the experience.
Additional studies are being conducted to measure ASMR’s clinical potential as far as helping alleviate stress, insomnia, depression, anxiety, etc.
#6. Some of the content is super sexual.
Image Credit: Pixabay
ASMR does affect the pleasure centers of the brain, so come correlation is impossible to miss. Dr. Craig Richard, PhD, points out that that the tingles people get from the videos can be confused with fetishizing the person or object that’s giving them pleasure.
Some channels are borderline pornographic, so keep an eye out if that’s not what you’re looking for.
#5. It’s incredibly diverse.
ASMR artists are exploding on YouTube – one of the largest has around 2 million subscribers – and the videos they produce have themes like tapping, microphone brushing, hand massage, and facial role plays. Though the most viewed ASMR video of all time is “Crushing Crunchy & Soft Things By Car,” anything a person could find soothing is fair game.
Videos of people reacting to ASMR videos are also popular, with the most popular one getting over 6 million views.
#4. It’s not limited to videos.
Image Credit: YouTube
You don’t need fancy microphones and other specialized equipment to produce the effects – everyday noises and settings are often enough to receive the desired result.
Touch can also be an effective ASMR trigger, with popular spots being the scalp, the soles of the feet, and the palms of the hands, and hand motions and light flashes can also do the trick. In-person ASMR may be on the rise.
#3. It’s a money-maker.
The top ASMR artists earn nearly half a million dollars a year in ad revenue – all for scratching, tapping, and running over stuff with their car. One 13-year-old artist earns about $900 a day on Instagram, so the sky’s the limit, kids.
#2. Hollywood wants in on the action.
Some celebrity contributions are sponsorship driven, like the ones you can find on the YouTube channel for fashion brand Miu Miu, but some celebs are genuinely fascinated with ASMR and produce their own videos.
It’s starting to show up on the big screen, too – the 2017 Battle of the Sexes is the first major motion picture to contain a scene designed to induce ASMR.
#1. There’s some super strange fringe content out there.
Some of the crossovers are weird, like sci-fi role play videos that pander to a nerdy fanbase, but serious ASMR artists warn that these odd and unproven tactics could hurt public perception and their industry could collapse if it’s written off as weird or niche.
There you have it!
