ASMR amplifies low frequency and reduces high frequency oscillations

Brain circuits in autonomous sensory meridian response and related phenomena

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is characterized by a tingling sensation with a feeling of relaxation and a state of flow. We explore the neural underpinnings and comorbidities of ASMR and related phenomena with altered sensory processing. These phenomena include sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), synaesthesia, Alice in Wonderland syndrome and misophonia. The objective of this article is to uncover the shared neural substrates and distinctive features of ASMR and its counterparts. ASMR, SPS and misophonia exhibit common activations in the brain regions associated with social cognition, emotion regulation and empathy. Nevertheless, ASMR responders display reduced connectivity in the salience network (SN), while individuals with SPS exhibit increased connectivity in the SN. Furthermore, ASMR induces relaxation and temporarily reduces symptoms of depression, in contrast to SPS and misophonia, which are linked to depression. These observations lead us to propose that ASMR is a distinct phenomenon owing to its attention dispatch mechanism and its connection with emotion regulation. We suggest that increased activations in the insula, along with reduction in connectivity within the salience and default mode networks in ASMR responders, may account for their experiences of relaxation and flow states. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience'.

Exploring the technological dimension of Autonomous sensory meridian response-induced physiological responses

Background

In recent years, the scientific community has been captivated by the intriguing Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), a unique phenomenon characterized by tingling sensations originating from the scalp and propagating down the spine. While anecdotal evidence suggests the therapeutic potential of ASMR, the field has witnessed a surge of scientific interest, particularly through the use of neuroimaging techniques including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as well as electroencephalography (EEG) and physiological measures such as eye tracking (Pupil Diameter), heart rate (HR), heartbeat-evoked potential (HEP), blood pressure (BP), pulse rates (PR), finger photoplethysmography (PPG), and skin conductance (SC). This article is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of technology's contributions to the scientific elucidation of ASMR mechanisms.

Methodology

A meticulous literature review was undertaken to identify studies that have examined ASMR using EEG and physiological measurements. The comprehensive search was conducted across databases such as PUBMED, SCOPUS, and IEEE, using a range of relevant keywords such as 'ASMR', 'Autonomous sensory meridian response', 'EEG', 'fMRI', 'electroencephalography', 'physiological measures', 'heart rate', 'skin conductance', and 'eye tracking'. This rigorous process yielded a substantial number of 63 PUBMED and 166 SCOPUS-related articles, ensuring the inclusion of a wide range of high-quality research in this review.

Results

The review uncovered a body of research utilizing EEG and physiological measures to explore ASMR's effects. EEG studies have revealed distinct patterns of brain activity associated with ASMR experiences, particularly in regions implicated in emotional processing and sensory integration. In physiological measurements, a decrease in HR and an increase in SC and pupil diameter indicate relaxation and increased attention during ASMR-triggered stimuli.

Conclusions

The findings of this review underscore the significance of EEG and physiological measures in unraveling the psychological and physiological effects of ASMR. ASMR experiences have been associated with unique neural signatures, while physiological measures provide valuable insights into the autonomic responses elicited by ASMR stimuli. This review not only highlights the interdisciplinary nature of ASMR research but also emphasizes the need for further investigation to elucidate the mechanisms underlying ASMR and explore its potential therapeutic applications, thereby paving the way for the development of novel therapeutic interventions.

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) and the Functions of Consciousness

"Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response" (ASMR) refers to a sensory-emotional experience that was first explicitly identified and named within the past two decades in online discussion boards. Since then, there has been mounting psychological and neural evidence of a clustering of properties common to the phenomenon of ASMR, including convergence on the set of stimuli that trigger the experience, the properties of the experience itself, and its downstream effects. Moreover, psychological instruments have begun to be developed and employed in an attempt to measure it. Based on this empirical work, we make the case that despite its nonscientific origins, ASMR is a good candidate for being a real kind in the cognitive sciences. The phenomenon appears to have a robust causal profile and may also have an adaptive evolutionary history. We also argue that a more thorough understanding of the distinctive type of phenomenal experience involved in an ASMR episode can shed light on the functions of consciousness, and ultimately undermine certain "cognitive" theories of consciousness. We conclude that ASMR should be the subject of more extensive scientific investigation, particularly since it may also have the potential for therapeutic applications.

What is autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR)? A narrative review and comparative analysis of related phenomena

A narrative review of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) was carried out. Definitional factors relevant to ASMR were canvassed. Related, but distinctly unique, sensorial phenomena, including frisson, synaesthesia, and misophonia were considered. Finally, the status of literature with respect to clinical outcomes, individual differences, and current research applications was evaluated. ASMR is a nascent phenomenon that has rapidly progressed in scope and depth of study throughout the past decade; a notable shift from brief-form studies to an increase in formalised trials is noted. Yet, critical questions remain unaddressed, including expectancy and placebo effects, that future research should interrogate.

The effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos versus walking tour videos on ASMR experience, positive affect and state relaxation

OBJECTIVE

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), the experience of a pleasant tingling on the neck and scalp, is known to be triggered by a characteristic type of videos (ASMR videos). The present study examines whether this experience is indeed specific to these ASMR videos, or whether it can also be triggered by other types of videos, e.g. walking tour videos. A further goal was to investigate differences between ASMR-responders and ASMR-non-responders regarding their ASMR sensation and to compare ASMR and walking tour videos with regard to the elicitation of positive affect and state relaxation.

METHOD

Two online assessments were carried out in two different predominantly student samples, one involving ASMR videos (n = 205) and the other one walking tour videos (n = 96). In both groups, ASMR experience, positive affect and state relaxation were assessed.

RESULTS

Compared to the walking tour video group, the ASMR-responders in the ASMR video group reported a pronounced ASMR sensation, higher state relaxation and higher positive affect scores. For ASMR-non-responders, lower scores in ASMR sensation, state relaxation and positive affect were revealed compared to the walking tour group. Without differentiating ASMR responder types, the ASMR group showed higher ASMR scores and lower positive affect scores compared to the walking tour group.

CONCLUSIONS

Watching ASMR videos induced significantly more characteristic ASMR sensations compared to walking tour videos. Since ASMR videos typically include a simulated interaction of the video protagonist with the viewer and walking tour videos do not, the simulated interaction with the viewer might be one important factor for triggering ASMR. As the ASMR observer type (responder or non-responder) is crucial for benefitting from ASMR videos, future scientific evaluation of ASMR needs to consider this differention when evaluating effects of ASMR on mental heath associated domains.

Comparison of autonomous sensory meridian response and binaural auditory beats effects on stress reduction: a pilot study

This study aimed to compare the effects of Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) and binaural beat (BB) on stress reduction, and to determine whether ASMR and BB can induce changes in quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG). A double-blind randomized trial was conducted. Subjects with stress were recruited considering their perceived stress scale (PSS), Beck depression inventory-II (BDI-II), insomnia severity index (ISI), and state-trait anxiety inventory-state anxiety (STAI-S) scores. Subjects listened to ASMR or BB with music (8 Hz for daytime, 5 Hz for nighttime) for 15 min in daytime and 30 min before going to sleep for 3 weeks. QEEG was measured before and after the intervention. Seventy-six participants (57 female, mean age = 46.12 ± 12.01) finished the trial. After the intervention, PSS, BDI-II, ISI, STAI-S, and PSQI scores improved significantly in both groups. BDI-II and ISI mean scores were normalized in both groups after the intervention. Changes of absolute beta and high beta power in the ASMR group were larger than those in the BB group (p = 0.026, p = 0.040, respectively). Both ASMR and BB are equally effective in reducing stress levels. Unlike BB, ASMR can lead to an increase in beta and high beta waves associated with cortical arousal.