The Science behind why soft sounds and touch affect us so positively.

Lohaus, Thoma, and Bellingrath report in a literature review that ASMR* “is associated with short-term positive effects on mental health. . . . for the roughly 25 to 30 percent of people who can experience ASMR, several studies showed that watching ASMR videos was associated with short-term positive effects regarding their mood, as well as with physiological changes such as slower heartbeat and lower blood pressure. In addition, EEG studies have repeatedly shown that ASMR experience is associated with a decrease in so-called delta waves, which are usually linked to deep sleep, but most recently have also been linked to states of consciousness. . . . fMRI studies have repeatedly shown that, among other things, very specific brain areas are involved in the ASMR experience, in particular the anterior cingulate gyrus, which is related to attentional processes, as well as brain regions related to movement.” ASMR is an abbreviation for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.

“What’s the Story Behind ASMR Clips?” 2023. Press release, Ruht Universitat, https://news.rub.de/english/press-releases/2023-11-09-psychology-whats-story-behind-asmr-clips