Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a fascinating phenomenon that people either love or hate. When it comes to its positive effects, they typically involve some form of relaxation or stimulation. There’s often a tingling feeling in your scalp, too, that can travel throughout your body.

Here’s a more precise breakdown of the health benefits you can expect when using your favorite ASMR app or channel. Fortunately, the entertainment industry happily delivers online and easy-to-access ASMR content, while scientists prove their effects real.

1. Relaxation Is the Most Common ASMR Effect

Different things can trigger this phenomenon. You could have someone whispering, interacting with you or objects that make pleasant sounds, or just focusing on an intricate task. If they’re facing the camera and making a video feel more personal, this can even boost its pleasant stimuli. You’ll find all these triggers in ASMR YouTube channels for sleep and relaxation.

The latter sensation is something most triggers have in common. People tend to feel calmer when watching or listening to ASMR content.

A 2018 study published in BioImpacts explored the phenomenon’s neural effects. What participants experienced is interesting as 51.4 percent reported pure relaxation, 5.9 percent felt tingles, and 40.5 percent weren’t affected.

Besides confirming that ASMR can relax you, these findings also show the field’s biggest challenge: not everyone experiences the same thing. So, it’s difficult to objectively prove the pros and cons of ASMR in relation to people’s health.

A range of psychological traits affects the outcome. And digital content doesn’t always affect you in the same way as physical stimuli. For example, a video of someone playing with hair will never be as good as feeling nails against your scalp.

2. ASMR Impacts Social Cognition

The challenges in researching ASMR don’t negate the benefits found. The same study cited above established that the phenomenon activates parts of the brain linked to social cognition and behavior, as well as self-awareness.

This doesn’t mean that consuming loads of ASMR content online automatically boosts your social skills. But it can help. Basically, the sensations you get from a video or podcast can put you in a positive and relaxed state of mind that’s more receptive to social situations. That said, it also depends on your psyche.

Scientists in 2017 looked into personality traits associated with ASMR and found that participants with openness to experience were more sensitive to stimuli. This Frontiers in Psychology study explores different influential traits like extraversion and agreeableness.

3. ASMR Relieves Stress

As stress is a major problem for many people, anything that alleviates stress in an easy and healthy way is a plus. And ASMR is one of the best solutions. Besides calming you and making you more sociable, it can reduce your heart rate, too. This was confirmed by a 2018 study on its emotional and physiological effects, available on Plus One.

Each of these health benefits can relieve stress. Combine them with the help of the right ASMR content and your quality of life can improve greatly.

That’s why Android and iOS apps for ASMR lovers are growing in number and popularity. Whether you’re working or resting, mobile and online tools can keep you focused or relaxed. Just put your headphones on and choose a good video or audio track for the occasion.

4. Sleep Benefits From ASMR

If you have trouble sleeping, try calming sound patterns. A study in 2020 explored whether ASMR improves sleep quality in medical students. The findings, published in the Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, were very positive.

So, listening to content on ASMR apps can help you sleep. However, since videos are likely to stimulate your brain, it’s best to stick to audio with soft noise that comforts you. It should relax you, reduce your heart rate, improve your mood, and let your mind drift into sleep.

5. Positive Emotional Stimulation Is Possible With ASMR

All the research above agrees that ASMR affects people’s emotions. Yet another study in 2015 identified exactly what triggers it, and also how it impacts depression and chronic pain. Available on PeerJ, its results are intriguing.

Firstly, 80 percent of participants felt their mood improve with ASMR. Additionally, those who scored high on the Beck Depression Index (BDI) experienced a faster positive reaction, but also a faster decline after the fact.

On that note, keep in mind that various sounds can illicit bad reactions, too—a phenomenon called misophonia. ASMR can have a negative effect on your senses and mood, so try it carefully before diving into the masses of online resources on offer.

If you’re receptive, ASMR should inspire good feelings that can last several hours. The fact that it can make you more open and sociable in your daily life can boost your happiness even more. In other words, frequent ASMR experiences, whether triggered by digital content or personal interactions, can provide both psychological and physiological health benefits.

6. ASMR Inspires Mindfulness

The PeerJ study also found that some participants spent time exploring specific positive emotions they got from ASMR. This suggests a mindfulness that beautifully complements meditation techniques.

Ultimately, apps and websites with ASMR content are great examples of how technology can enhance your mindfulness practices. When sitting quietly and listening to ASMR tracks, pay attention to your heart rate, breathing, and emotions.

Immerse yourself in your tasks, whether physical or digital. See if certain repetitive motions affect you in a good way and how different sounds or textures make you feel. ASMR is a great way to practice mindfulness. With its help, there’s much you can discover about yourself, which you can then channel into a healthy lifestyle.

Stay Happy and Healthy With Online ASMR Content and Digital Tools

ASMR has several health benefits, and there’s growing scientific proof to support that. While the extent of their impact is still subjective, the right audiovisual stimuli can help you relax, sleep, focus, manage your emotions, and more.

It’s true that some digital experiences aren’t as effective as real-life ones. But the right tools, from ASMR audio content to healthcare apps and fitness trackers, can create an efficient program for your well-being that includes activities you prefer to do in person.