Common ASMR triggers include whispering, hair play, and ear brushing. Not all people experience a positive response or any response to these triggers, though.
ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, is a tingling sensation that some people experience in response to audiovisual stimuli.
A positive ASMR response may start as tingling or warmth in the head and move throughout the body.
However, not all people have a positive response to common ASMR triggers. Some people feel nothing, while others can have a negative response.
In this article, we assess some of the most common ASMR triggers and explain why they work.
Exactly what they sound like, ASMR noises are often soft and designed to give you the ultimate relaxing experience.
Whispering
One of the most common ASMR triggers is gentle whispering. It can result in feelings of calmness and relaxation, as a
Blowing
Blowing sounds create a similar effect to whispering. Resembling a gentle wind, this popular ASMR trigger can send you off to a good night’s sleep.
Scratching
Scratching can be a slightly controversial ASMR trigger. Although popular, it can rub some people the wrong way. But if you’re into the sound of someone scratching metal, plastic, or even their nails directly across a microphone, you’re
Tapping
Tapping is similar to the above ASMR triggers. It usually involves the sounds of nails tapping on various surfaces, including glass and wood, and promotes relaxation.
Page turning
Repetitive sounds are included in the top five most popular triggers, according to one
Writing
Writing sounds can provoke a strong tingling sensation. ASMR video creators often opt for one of two tools: pens that produce a scratchy sound or softer pencils.
Typing
Typing ASMR can either send you to sleep or assist with concentration. Often, different keyboards are used to create varying sounds. Acrylic nails can heighten the sensations.
Crinkling
Similar to page turning, listening to the crinkling of paper or plastic sounds can elicit relaxation, helping you de-stress.
Humming
For some, the sound of a person humming is an annoyance. For others, it acts like a nighttime lullaby. You’ll have to figure out which side of the fence you fall on.
Buzzing
Buzzing triggers are usually created by electric items, such as razors. Some of these vibrating sounds can be gentle enough for a soothing experience. Others are a little more aggressive.
Chewing
When it comes to chewing ASMR videos, you either love them or hate them. There’s some crossover between this trigger and the Korean concept of mukbang: an interactive eating experience where the eater films themselves consuming large quantities of food, and viewers respond.
Unlike mukbang, eating ASMR focuses more on the sounds that emanate from someone’s mouth, whether that’s loud and crunchy or soft and slurpy.
Water drops
Whether it’s simple droplets or fizzing noises, the natural sound of water can be incredibly relaxing.
Ticking clock
The repetition of a ticking clock sounds rather natural to the brain. If you need some help sleeping or studying, this could be the ASMR trigger for you.
Motor humming
Listening to the humming motor of a vehicle can soothe some people and intensely irritate others. It’s all about personal choice.
Cat purring
Cat purring is another ASMR trigger. It can help you relax and cause a nice shut-eye session — and is one of the cutest ASMR triggers around.
Physical ASMR triggers are usually created using a tool, such as a brush or oil.
Some people like them because they feel like they’re inside the video with the ASMR creator, heightening the sensations. However, as with all forms of ASMR, not all people will have a positive reaction.
Ear brushing
Makeup brushes are a popular ear brushing ASMR technique. Whether it’s a small eyeshadow brush, a larger Kabuki design, or even the bristles of a shaving brush, the sounds can be super calming to listen to.
Hair play
Having your hair played with can be relaxing in real life, so it makes sense that watching and listening to it can provoke the same response. Hair play ASMR involves a number of tools, from fingers running through strands to the bristles of hair brushes.
Massage
Watching someone massage another person, whether it’s a deep head massage or a back massage involving oil, can result in the typical ASMR tingles.
Always found a certain environment or activity particularly relaxing? Situational ASMR videos may be the ones for you.
Certain words
Interestingly, some words can trigger a sleepy ASMR response. Words with the letters S, P, and K tend to be used (and whispered) due to the calming sounds they produce. But some words can remind you of a past memory, prompting positive feelings.
Personal attention
To relieve stress and ensure a good night’s sleep, personal attention ASMR videos can help. The creator makes direct eye contact with the camera, placing their hands near the lens as if they are touching your face. They also speak in a relaxing and welcoming tone.
Role-play
Role-play ASMR involves putting yourself front and center in a typically relaxing scenario. Think hair salon or spa and you’re on the right track. However, some acts involve more niche environments, like a mock tattoo parlor or surgery. No matter which one you choose, they’re all designed to de-stress.
Eye contact
This ASMR trigger is all about long-lasting direct eye contact, giving viewers a sense of intimacy and companionship.
For these videos, you don’t have to listen to the sound. The visual is designed to be strong enough to promote an ASMR response.
Hand movements
A lot of ASMR videos incorporate hand movements into another trigger like whispering. But the soft and gentle movement alone may relax and send you to sleep.
Watching someone concentrate
Watching someone paint or study can invoke a tingling and calming ASMR response. This is because they combine several common triggers, including brushing noises and soft speaking.
Color swatching
Soft sounds are what color swatching ASMR is all about. Beauty fans may enjoy this one with its makeup focus. The product reviews are just a bonus.
Paint mixing
Watching paint dry may be mind-numbingly boring, but watching it mix? Well, that’s a different story. In fact, it can even trigger a tingling, calming sensation.
Light patterns
Although certain light sources are known to interfere with sleep, the relaxation that light ASMR promotes appears to block this effect.
ASMR is a relatively new area of study. As a result, there is a lack of large scale, high quality investigation into ASMR and its effects.
Not everyone has a positive response to ASMR. Some people may not feel the hallmark tingling or positive feelings at all, while others may have a markedly negative response to hearing or seeing ASMR stimuli.
However, some small studies have found that, in some people, ASMR stimuli may have a number of positive effects.
A
A
A
It depends on the person. Although some people may not find any of the above triggers sexual, others may find certain sounds and visuals to be erotic.
Most content creators in the ASMR field don’t produce their videos with sex in mind, but feeling that way when watching them isn’t abnormal.
Researchers in a
In a
ASMR doesn’t affect everyone. Some people develop an ASMR response almost immediately. Others take a while to find the trigger that’s right for them. Some may never feel it at all.
ASMR stimuli can also have a negative effect in some people. One
With millions of ASMR videos online, the phenomenon is a growing part of modern culture. But the tingling and relaxation is never guaranteed.
Some people may only have a positive response to certain triggers, while others may experience negative feelings or nothing at all.
Lauren Sharkey is a journalist and author specializing in women’s issues. When she isn’t trying to discover a way to banish migraines, she can be found uncovering the answers to your lurking health questions. She has also written a book profiling young female activists across the globe and is currently building a community of such resisters. Catch her on Twitter.