A.S.M.R., or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is one of those things many of us shy away from admitting is our guilty pleasure. Some of us cannot tolerate these “tingles” a single bit. What is it about A.S.M.R. that either pulls us in so easily or pushes us very far away?
Jennifer Allen, the woman who first coined A.S.M.R. watched space videos and realized there was an unexplainable feeling that occurred every time she watched these videos. This feeling brushed through her scalp and sent a tingling sensation down her spine.
Allen, confused about what this feeling was and what exactly this meant, searched the internet to see if anyone else was having similar experiences. Many users didn’t name exactly what she felt but several explained a sensation they felt due to an unusual visual or sound.
In 2010, Allen sat down to create a name for this brain tingling feeling and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or A.S.M.R., became the semi-official name of this strange sensation.
After the name was picked and Allen shared the official name with her “A.S.M.R. group,” many people from all over the country started sending in anonymous videos of them speaking softly into microphones.
Years later, creating A.S.M.R. videos became a hot trend on YouTube. These videos range from minutes to hours of influencers speaking, tapping and even eating close to microphones.
Businesses have also found ways to incorporate A.S.M.R. in their advertisements. These companies sometimes do this at the beginning of YouTube videos or in television commercials. You may have even seen commercials using A.S.M.R. in the 2019 SuperBowl. Many companies use this tactic to target their younger audiences, as they’re more likely to pay attention to A.S.M.R. videos.
Unlike those who enjoy searching the web for A.S.M.R., some absolutely cannot tolerate it. Many people don’t like the sound of chewing into a microphone, but that may not be the only issue. Have you ever thought about the specific term to explain your dislike of these subtle yet triggering sounds?
Misophonia is a condition in which one or more common sounds, such as the ticking of a clock, someone chewing their food or even the sound of crickets outside the window, can cause a powerful negative emotional response in a person. Those of us that wouldn’t dare to click on an A.S.M.R. video probably are thinking that this definition fits us perfectly.
Whether you are into A.S.M.R. or not, there’s one thing we can all agree on: A.S.M.R is one of the most niche ways our generation is keeping themselves entertained. It makes you wonder; what’s next?
