What is ASMR?

ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is a physical sensation, often experienced as a gentle tingling that begins at the crown of the head and moves through the body.

An explanation by Emma WhispersRed

The sensation is commonly described as “tingles” and can be triggered by specific sounds, a soft voice, focused attention or watching someone carefully perform a task.

ASMR is widely associated with deep relaxation and the videos created on YouTube and social media are designed to evoke this response. Since emerging online in 2009, its popularity has grown significantly, forming a large and engaged global community.

Many people use ASMR to support sleep, relaxation and focus, as well as to create a sense of calm within their daily lives. The experience is often described as nurturing and comforting, with a strong emphasis on presence and gentle sensory interaction.

What are triggers?

An ASMR “trigger” is any stimulus that evokes the sensation. Triggers vary widely from person to person, with each individual responding to different sounds, actions or forms of attention.

Sound

Tapping, crinkling, page turning, pen sounds, soft speaking, whispering, fabric and cutting sounds.

Actions

Watching someone carefully perform a task, demonstrate an object or move their hands with intention and focus.

Nuturing Touch

Back or arm tracing, hair play and close, gentle interaction.

Personal Attention

Experiences such as eye tests, haircuts, massage and facials, often recreated virtually through video.

ASMR FAQ's

Common questions drawn from press and television interviews.

Many people have experienced ASMR for as long as they can remember, often encountering it through everyday situations or media without a defined name for the sensation.

Before the term ASMR was introduced in 2010, individuals discussed the experience online as an unexplained but recognisable feeling, with early conversations taking place in a dedicated online forum.

Around this time, early video content began to emerge on YouTube, often referred to as “whisper videos” within what became known as the ‘whisper community’, created to gently evoke the tingling, calming sensation that some people experienced.

As awareness grew, the term ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) was adopted, providing a shared language for the experience and supporting the development of a global community. Since then, ASMR has evolved into a widely recognised field, encompassing a diverse range of creative, therapeutic and sensory-led applications.

Since 2013, Emma Smith (WhispersRed) has been part of this early development, contributing to the growth and evolution of ASMR through digital content, in-person work and broader industry collaboration.

Research into ASMR continues to develop across institutions worldwide, with growing interest in understanding its physiological and psychological effects.

Early studies have explored its impact on mood, relaxation and physical responses, with findings suggesting similarities to established practices such as meditation and mindfulness.

A 2015 study by researchers at Swansea University identified ASMR as a “flow-like mental state” and highlighted its potential benefits for mood and pain reduction. – https://peerj.com/articles/851.pdf

Further research in 2018 found measurable physiological changes during ASMR experiences, including reduced heart rate and increased skin conductivity. – https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/asmr-health-psychological-benefits-1.787541

Research Links

2015 – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17470919.2016.1188851

2017 – https://peerj.com/articles/3846/

2017 – https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00247/full

2018 – https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0196645

2018 – https://peerj.com/articles/5414/

2018 – https://peerj.com/articles/5229/#appendix

2018 – https://peerj.com/articles/5351/

2018 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6209833/

2021 – https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9385308

2022 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656621001203

ASMR is not a sexual experience. It is widely associated with relaxation, calm and a reduction in mental and physical tension.

Misconceptions have arisen over time, often due to visual similarities with other media formats. However, the intention and experience of ASMR are fundamentally different.

While not everyone experiences ASMR, those who do often describe it as deeply calming and restorative. Others may feel neutral or, in some cases, experience sensitivity to sound (known as misophonia).

ASMR is a developing field without formalised qualifications, with most practitioners building expertise through experience, observation and audience response.

Since 2013, Emma Smith (WhispersRed) has developed a body of work across digital content, in-person sessions and sensory-based experiences, refining techniques through both practice and ongoing exploration.

In addition, she has undertaken training in sound therapy and related disciplines, deepening her understanding of the relationship between sound, relaxation and the body.

Her work continues to evolve through both creative development and practical application, including the ongoing development of her ASMR training academy.