ASMR Research & Support

Welcome to the research and support site for ASMR
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a physical sensation characterized by a pleasurable tingling that typically begins in the head and scalp, and often moves down the spine and through the limbs.

Most ASMR episodes begin by an external or internal trigger, and are so divided for classification. Type A episodes are elicited by the experiencer using no external stimuli, and are typically achieved by specific thought patterns unique to the individual. Type B episodes are triggered involuntarily by an external trigger, via one or more senses, and may also involve specific thought patterns associated with the triggering event. Both types of triggers vary between individuals, but many are common to a large portion of ASMR enjoyers.

Common external triggers:

Exposure to slow, accented, or unique speech patterns
Viewing educational or instructive videos or lectures
Experiencing a high empathetic or sympathetic reaction to an event
Enjoying a piece of art or music
Watching another person complete a task, often in a diligent, attentive manner - examples would be filling out a form, writing a check, going through a purse or bag, inspecting an item closely, etc.
Close, personal attention from another person
Haircuts, or other touch from another on head or back

ASMR Research
Research Goals

Document physical and psychological aspects of ASMR
Obtain funding for further research
Explore potential beneficial personal and social applications of ASMR
Determine the natural progression of ASMR through an enjoyer's lifetime
Develop a method to replicate ASMR in those who do not yet experience it
Study effects of ASMR on depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, etc.

Research Efforts

Research efforts are currently focused on expanding our understanding of ASMR as an experience, and cataloguing the aspects of ASMR in a scientific, discrete fashion. Data compiled through our questionnaires and video trials will be used to build a complete research portfolio. Our portfolio will ultimately be the foundation of documentation used to request a full research grant and funding for a broader range of studies.

Current

Video Trials - Exposure to known video triggers, and documenting reactions
General Questionnaire - A basic questionnaire to compile statistical data of ASMR enjoyers

Future

Physiological monitor - EEG, GSR, Pupil dilation, etc. - during ASMR episodes
Health screening of ASMR enjoyers to determine possible linked medical conditions
Controled profiling of triggers to isolate areas of the brain active during ASMR
Controled survey of serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels before and after ASMR regimen
Psychological profile and benefits or problems associated with routine ASMR experience
Social anthropological implications of ASMR

Volunteering

Please email Jenn Allen if you would like more information on the program, but are not applying to be a volunteer. If you are interested in participating in a study, please use the application form below.

Currently, the team is preparing to run a series of video experiments. This involves a participant watching a provided video link, and then answering a set of questions about the video, such as the below examples:

"How often did you hear the speaker breathe?"
"How did you feel when the painter slipped?"
"Did you like or dislike the way the colors matched the video?"
"How often did you feel the video almost, but didn't quite, elicit ASMR?"

Questions are designed to better understand the participant's reactions to the video, and what thought processes the participant goes through while watching the video. Some questions will be yes/no or multiple choice, and some will allow the participant to answer in their own words.

If you would like to participate as a volunteer, you can fill out the form at the bottom and a team member will contact you with full details of the next round. You should be aware of these details:

This is a non-funded effort, so you will not be paid
Your privacy will be protected, but the responses you provide will be compiled into a report
A team member will interact with you directly first to ensure you are a "real person", and will gather contact details from you to validate the integrity of your responses for the research portfolio
You will be notified when any of your responses are being sent to a third-party for a grant application, and will have the opportunity to opt out of supplying your data
The experiment program is strictly scientific in nature, and all results will be qualified by their application as objective data - you will be asked to be honest and direct in every response you provide; if you are unable, you cannot join the program
You will need an internet connection and browser software (such as you use to access this page) to participate in the experiments
Each experiment round will vary in content and time required to complete - details will be posted for you to review before you begin; once you start, you will be asked to complete the entire round before submitting your results, as lapses of time between the initial viewing and responses may change the actual response

All volunteers will be given credit on the team site and publications as a contributing member in this ground-level research effort.

NOTE: We need control participants as well! If you do not experience ASMR, but would like to help with the quality and rigor of our experiments, please apply. You will participate in the same fashion as the ASMR-experiencing volunteers, and will greatly help our efforts.

Applicants: We are currently undergoing a remodeling of the volunteer portal, so application response will be delayed. Please apply if you are interested; your application will still be held, and once the portal is ready, you'll get details on how the volunteer program works, and a response request to get your login.