An alternative relaxation method that appeared -not so-recently- on the internet and went viral is the curious phenomenon of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or ASMR for short.

After the lightning-fast popularity it received on YouTube, millions of people nowadays turn to ASMR as a source of relaxation, to deal with stress and anxiety, but also as an aid to falling asleep more easily.

Google searches for the term ASMR over the years

In this article we will see what ASMR is, what its origins are, whether there is scientific evidence behind it, and whether it is ultimately worth trying ASMR to sleep better.

What is ASMR?

Many also describe it as a "brain orgasm" or "brain massage," but ASMR is an experience triggered by specific sounds (and sometimes non-sound stimuli) that induce a relaxing, calming response or a general sense of well-being.

The feeling The sensation that ASMR causes in the body is described as starting at the top of the head and then spreading downward with a warm, tingling sensation.

Not everyone experiences the effect of ASMR in the same way, but of those who do, it is said that the most common trigger for starting this sensation is the sound of whispering . However, the list of ASMR triggers is vast and often bizarre. Some of the most common sounds you'll hear in videos with millions of views on Youtube is:

• sounds from hitting or scratching an object, e.g. the microphone
• sound from the pages of a book
• creaks
• noise from the mouth and lips
• blowing noise
• hair game

What all of these sounds have in common is that they are soft, intimate, and close to the microphone - and the listener.

How is ASMR defined?

A academic study defines ASMR as "a phenomenon in which individuals experience a tingling, static-like sensation throughout the scalp, back of the neck, and sometimes other areas in response to specific auditory and visual stimuli. This sensation is widely reported to be accompanied by feelings of relaxation and well-being."

Some experts They claim that it's not the same as the "shivering" or "goosebumps" that people experience when they listen to certain music, but the truth is, so far, no one is really sure what ASMR actually is.

The rise of ASMR

It's possible that what we call ASMR today has been around forever, we've just never dealt with it.

The term itself was coined in 2010 by ASMR advocate Jennifer Allen, who said in an interview, "Using a 'clinical' word was the best option to improve how the growing community would feel about using and telling others the word."

The rise of ASMR can be traced back to the early days of YouTube, when people started posting videos of themselves whispering. The first A video made consciously for ASMR purposes was published in 2009.

Today there are over 10 million videos with ASMR on YouTube and hundreds of thousands of ASMR creators, including popular "ASMRtists" like Maria with the channel Gently Whispering ASMR who has over 2 million subscribers on Youtube. Of course, there are also Greek ASMR video creators with corresponding millions of views.

Can science explain ASMR?

Since it's a recently coined concept, there isn't a lot of scientific research explaining how ASMR might work. While we already know that sounds and music can have an impact on our mental health and well-being, we're not quite sure how ASMR works.

A study published in 2014 by Swansea University in the United Kingdom found a connection between ASMR and synesthesia , which is defined as " a condition when a person 'hears' smells, 'sees' sounds, and 'smells' images. The most common type of synesthesia is seeing sounds and automatically associating numbers with specific colors ." In short, synesthesia is the perception of the same sensation through different senses.

Steven Novella, a neurologist from Yale University School of Medicine, has suggested that ASMR may be a type of epileptic seizure .

Another recently completed study showed how ASMR affects specific parts of the brain , including the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. These parts of the brain are typically active when we interact with people we love .

Simply put, ASMR works by calming the brain and making us feel relaxed. This relaxed state of mind naturally makes it easier to sleep.

It's the same as meditating or engaging in an activity that helps us relax. This experience, obviously, varies from person to person , as some people relax when they are surrounded by people they love, others when they do yoga, and still others by reading a book.

Can ASMR help with insomnia?

Christopher Winter, the author of the book "The Sleep Solution," says, "I think the experience, for those who can experience it, is immediate. I infer from [anecdotal evidence] that it can have an immediate impact and probably improves for most people over time."

Additionally, some users claim that ASMR not only helps treat insomnia, but also other conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

A 2015 study even confirmed that users who watched ASMR videos fell asleep more easily than usual, while a 2017 study reaffirmed that ASMR videos can help people relax. However, the results may not always be significant.

Another study published in 2018 found that ASMR videos can relax people, lowering their heart rate. Science has almost verified the effects of ASMR videos, but we're still not sure how many people can experience ASMR.

Many researchers believe that people who believe more in the idea are more likely to experience ASMR , and that there may be a connection between the impact of ASMR and each person's personality type.

Is ASMR worth trying?

When you can't sleep, you're likely to try anything you can find available. We know this firsthand, which is why we created our own gravity blanket .

Since these videos are available on YouTube for free, there's no harm in trying ASMR. However, as mentioned earlier, some users may not feel any change. So try it and draw your own conclusions!

For the best experience - and to increase your chances of falling asleep - we suggest you try listening to an ASMR video while wearing headphones and WITHOUT seeing the image, as the blue radiation emitted by the screen suppresses the production of melatonin in the body.

Start by watching the following ASMR videos:

• ASMR - The only brain massage you will ever need
• ASMR for Anxiety Calming Whispers & Guided Visualization for Sleep (Rain & Music Sounds)
• ASMR for Those Who Want to Sleep Soundly Now / 3Hr (No Talking)

Upgrade your sleep with a gravity blanket

Gravity blankets are the most effective way to deal with insomnia and stress without medication, as they have been used for many decades to help people suffering from anxiety disorders, autism, and other sensory disorders.

How do they work?

They are designed to apply gentle, steady pressure to the entire body, which occupational therapists call “ Deep Tactile Pressure .” This steady pressure relaxes the nervous system and helps the body naturally increase levels of serotonin and melatonin (the hormones of happiness and sleep) while reducing levels of cortisol, which is responsible for stress.

As a result, the mind stops "racing", the heart rate drops, the mood improves and the body enters a state of complete relaxation.

Choose the one that weighs closest to 10% of your body weight and upgrade your sleep from the very first night!