What Happens To Your Brain When You Experience ASMR
IDEANEWSINDO.COM - The human body can have some pretty magical responses to the environment around us, including sights, smells, sounds, and more. ASMR is one such response that some people report feeling when prompted by certain stimuli. ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, is characterized by a pleasant, calming tingling sensation that usually begins in the scalp and may resonate down the body, reports Healthline.
The sensation is most often evoked in response to specific sights, sounds, or styles of touch, according to Healthline. Generally speaking, these triggers are of the relaxing variety, such as whispering, scratching, tapping, or close personal attention.
Simply Psychology notes that other possible ASMR triggers may include hair brushing, massage, or water sounds, as opposed to jarring or disruptive stimuli such as the whirring of a vacuum or a loud bang. To induce ASMR sensations, some people seek out online videos depicting these auditory or visual triggers. So it begs the question, what exactly is going on inside the brain when that tingling sensation strikes?
The relationship between ASMR and anxiety
While the evidence is limited, Healthline notes that some research shows brain activation occurs in regions associated with emotion regulation, empathy, and socialization when one experiences ASMR. An alternate theory is that during ASMR, the brain produces various neurohormones, some of which may be related to feelings of comfort, sleepiness, and relaxation. Subsequently, it's possible that ASMR may help promote sleep, concentration, mood, and more.
However, a 2022 study published in PLOS ONE suggests that the emotional benefits of ASMR may only predominantly affect people possessing specific traits. Researchers had 64 participants watch an ASMR video, 36 of which had previously experienced ASMR, and 28 people who had never experienced the sensation. Participants also underwent testing to evaluate levels of neuroticism and trait anxiety. Participants' state anxiety was also assessed before and after viewing the video.
The study findings revealed that ASMR-experiencers ranked higher for neuroticism and trait anxiety than those who had not experienced ASMR. ASMR-experiencers were also found to be more anxious before watching the video and less anxious after the viewing, while the non-ASMR group's levels of anxiety remained unchanged. The study suggests that ASMR may be effective in reducing anxiety, but only in those who experience anxiety to begin with.
writter by: ERIN MARIE
S:healthdigest.com