Key factor of effective brain functioning revealed

The Mystery of "Tingles": Why Millions of People Find Relief in ASMR Videos and What Science Says About It

The familiar sensation of "tingles" on the skin during emotional moments has taken on a new form - millions of people deliberately seek this feeling through special sounds of whispering, tapping, and rustling. The phenomenon of ASMR videos, which trigger Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, has become a cultural phenomenon, but does it have scientific justification? Researchers have discussed the potential of this effect in fighting anxiety and its evidence base, according to The Conversation.

ASMR is an involuntary bodily reaction, primarily to auditory stimuli, which manifests as a pleasant tingling in the scalp and neck area, accompanied by a deep feeling of tranquility. Unlike the short-term "chills" (frisson) caused by a sudden release of dopamine and lasting just seconds, the ASMR reaction can continue significantly longer, providing prolonged relaxation and reducing internal tension.

The exact mechanism behind ASMR remains a mystery to scientists. Research often mentions triggers such as whispering, quiet repetitive sounds, tapping, and crackling, however universal stimuli that affect everyone without exception have not yet been discovered. ASMR content creators enhance the effect by combining sounds with visual elements and "personal attention" – when the author directly addresses the viewer or imitates care through hair brushing or makeup application. This makes the ASMR experience even more individualized.

The ability to feel ASMR is inherent in approximately one in five people. Researchers associate this trait with a certain psychological profile: young people with introverted personalities who tend to experience deep negative feelings but remain open to new experiences are more likely to respond. The expectation effect, similar to placebo, can also play a significant role: belief in the calming effect of ASMR increases the likelihood of experiencing the desired effect.

From an evidence-based medicine perspective, ASMR cannot yet be classified as a confirmed therapeutic method: rigorous clinical studies demonstrating its effectiveness for anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, or other conditions have not been conducted to date. However, numerous subjective testimonials indicate that such content helps people achieve relaxation, reduce anxiety and stress, as well as facilitate falling asleep.

In conclusion: if ASMR truly helps you find calm – there's nothing harmful about it. However, before it can be considered a full-fledged therapeutic tool, the scientific community needs to find answers to many open questions.