The Bizarre Relaxation Phenomenon

Inside ASMR: The Bizarre relaxation phenomenon that’s sparked a multimillion-dollar industry

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Have you ever felt a strange tingly feeling all over your body after someone whispered in your ear? What about the rustle of leaves or the crinkling of a paper bag? You may have experienced ASMR – a bizarre YouTube phenomenon that’s gaining increased recognition in the health and wellness industry.

‘ASMR is an acronym for Autonomous sensory meridian response and is characterised by a physical tingling sensation that begins in your scalp and moves down through your body,’ explains clinical hypnotherapist and mindset coach Claire Aristides. ‘It’s often triggered by an audible stimuli called triggers ( for example whispering in your ear), but can also be caused through physical touch.’

If you’re already familiar with ASMR, it’s likely you first stumbled upon it through YouTube, where millions tune in to hear faves like Maria Viktorovna (aka Gentle Whispering ASMR) and Emma Smith (WhispersRed ASMR) scrunch fabric, snip scissors and perform other everyday tasks to lull followers into a state of calm.