The Brain Science (and Benefits) of ASMR | Craig Richard | TED

A curious, quiet revolution of sound has taken over the internet. Physiologist Craig Richard explains the soothing brain science of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), tracking its rise in popularity and why this fascinating phenomenon is so relaxing to millions of people around the world.
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• The Brain Science (and...
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[@TheJonathanc82]

I am one of the lucky people that has a strong ASMR sensation when watching these videos and listening to these individuals. They help me relax significantly, and as someone with clinical anxiety, it makes a huge, positive difference in my mental state. The ASMR artists featured in this talk are those that I watch along with others. Thank you so much for talking about this topic and spreading understanding.

[@alexthedog]

Define lucky 🍀 if you wood?

[@maidinulster]

Light sparkly brain tingles, yes that’s it that’s what I feel, it’s glorious ❤

[@Gooftavis]

I used to

[@titicad8938]

@@Gooftavis ... rule the world Seas would rise when I gave the word Now in the morning, I sleep alone Sweep the streets I used to own I used to roll the dice Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes Listen as the crowd would sing Now the old king is dead, long live the king One minute, I held the key Next the walls were closed on me And I discovered that my castles stand Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin' Roman Cavalry choirs are singin' Be my mirror, my sword and shield My missionaries in a foreign field For some reason, I can't explain Once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word And that was when I ruled the world It was a wicked and wild wind Blew down the doors to let me in Shattered windows and the sound of drums People couldn't believe what I'd become Revolutionaries wait For my head on a silver plate Just a puppet on a lonely string Aw, who would ever wanna be king? I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin' Roman Cavalry choirs are singing Be my mirror, my sword and shield My missionaries in a foreign field For some reason, I can't explain I know Saint Peter won't call my name Never an honest word But that was when I ruled the world Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin' Roman Cavalry choirs are singin' Be my mirror, my sword and shield My missionaries in a foreign field For some reason I can't explain I know Saint Peter won't call my name Never an honest word But that was when I ruled the world

[@fakkedd]

I had a permanent migraine after a brain injury, and listening to the soft, gentle voice of one of my classmates was the only thing that ever worked to reduce the pain. Now I understand why.

[@creationfied]

finally somebody talking about this, ive been struggling to find much proper research on the topic

[@HeWhoProclaims]

Asmr, it's everywhere.

[@das.gegenmittel]

And then you think that this is a solid source?

[@creationfied]

@@das.gegenmittel its a way to bring publicity to a relatively unresearched phenomenon

[@florindragu9707]

In romania is know the saint whisper :) is the way telling someone beautiful/useful/lovind words at ear . It work with kids in night to wisper self confidence text created fir them! It work like magic :)

[@lourdespalacios7069]

ASMR videos had a huge positive impact in me, it’s like having a happy place to go every time I find a new ASMRtist❤

[@lizlopezsmiles]

I absolutely enjoyed this TED Talk! This used to be so taboo but not anymore. I give so much credit to ASMR Artists who create this kind of content just so that people can become more relaxed. We need ASMR ❤

[@StarBoundFables]

Brilliant presentation, Craig, thank you! 😄🙏🏽

[@alinearielo]

Glad to see Maria (gente whispering) and Emma (whispers red), they are absolutely fantastic and helped me a lot, the birthplace of ASMR.

[@user-by9lx1hm3z]

I only saw this video for studying English, but it was so interesting that I just took a look at it. thank you for wonderful speech！！

[@CrossroadsReloaded]

Before hearing about 'ASMR', for most of my life, these pleasant feelings were 'brain shivers'. I identified most of my triggers at an early age. But they're not personal attention related. One of my strongest comes from unintelligible whispered reading/slow page turning. It actually hit me the most at school, when teachers asked us to quietly read something. So typically moments when no one was paying much attention to others. I just happen to enjoy the quiet sounds of focused people doing something.

[@thomasrider8221]

I have seen many videos explaining ASMR, and "the tingles" and have often wondered if the "feelings" are of more basic response. Let me explain. I see ASMR not as response to sound, but as a reward for intensely for searching and finding an audio response. The ASMR fans are not just playing the sounds, they are actively attempting to connect to every sound and/or frequency in a low sound environment, and their brain is in high scan mode desperately awaiting a response. A confirmation that I am not alone and that the tingles are my brain acknowledging the receipt of those low tones and creating a biological response similar to fight or flight, but in this case since we are already safe, we're accepting it as pleasure today since we know there is no risk. I like to think that ASMR is a tool we possessed in infancy to receive auditory feedback to confirm that we are not ever truly left alone. Thanks for the presentation, and I love to know if ASMR occurs in blind people since their hearing tends to be more acute.

[@Mirozenx]

I'm not completely blind, but I'm blind in one eye, completely blind My eye with sight is very bad too, although I have a little bit of sight in it, enough to walk around and live a relatively normal life I'm "blind by law" in my good eye, and fully blind in my other one My ASMR response was very strong when I was younger, but has faded as I got older Now I only experience very weak tingles, unfortunately and they're rarely triggered whereas when I was younger, the tingles would pretty much overwhelm Mt entire body

[@stretch1807]

ASMR is persecution and you're a psychopath if it gets you off

[@sampunnett2131]

Omg! I adore Glow and Gentlewhispering!

[@remuspierre8038]

I Agree with you Craig this is awesome

[@withbiancalee]

What a fantastic talk! Entertaining and educational. AWESOME!!! Thank you :)

[@nyxquake8218]

Personally I can't stand the ASMR where people talk or whisper, or there's any sort of discontinuous sounds and lipsmacking. It's uncomfortable and gives me the feeling of "back away I'm about to punch you." But I would consider the ASMR with just sounds, like the scratch of a pencil as it writes.

[@DHREAVER]

Hah, I just wrote this but in slightly different words. You're not alone! I liked the scissor sounds but all the saliva sounds make my skin crawl. Now I can hear all my own mouth noises and I hate it XD

[@uklorien3477]

That’s the most annoying thing I’ve experienced in my life, it’s extremely uncomfortable

[@cristianstefaniga1674]

Yeah same

[@00MrPanda00]

ASRM Balloon rubbing / squeeking 👐🎈🎶

[@DivusMagus]

I'd recommend "ASMR Fancy letter" from the channel Asmrsurge. It's one of my favorite videos.

[@iPodFayne]

Been waiting so long for science to look at ASMR!!!

[@remuspierre8038]

Amazing topics

[@hoaphuongvlogs8111]

Thank for your beautiful speach. I love your channel....

[@zionnoel]

I just realized something that I find immensely interesting and helpful/affirming to my cognition. :) Care to hear? Several years ago, I used to watch categorically, intentionally-crafted ASMR videos regularly, and I never felt quite at ease with them. . . I didn't find anything wrong with them, I just felt slightly offput, personally . . . well, during this video Craig said something that was like a lightbulb moment for me, which distinguished why I prefer natural ASMR to intentionally crafted videos. . . it's the organic / natural versus acting / persona that I was subconsciously responding to when I experienced that aversion to ASMR videos! I greatly appreciate the relaxing sensations that surface from naturally-occurring ASMR, but feel uncomfortable watching a video that somebody crafted specifically for that purpose -- it's like it feels a bit invasive, or calculated, rather than completely genuine and real . . . I guess that means I shouldn't click on 'em to watch anymore, now that I understand this information! I don't look at this as a bad or negative thing -- actually I view it as neutral to positive, because it is my life experiences and self becoming better understood as I recognize! :) Yay; that's fun for me. :) What to do now when I crave intimacy and restful relaxation from sensation . . . Bob Ross Joys of Painting!!! Hehe😁☺ Haha, my heart truly is joyful at discovering this. :) ;) Good stuff. Ok, that's all I've got to say. Adios!

[@orourkeseant]

Haircuts and getting shoes shined..i recognized that feeling when i was very, very young..now 60 years later, i found a name for it!

[@justjay_09]

I knew I wasn't the only one enjoying all the ASMR 'tingles...tingles....tingles' while getting haircuts, listening to Bob Ross, or listening to ASMR Artists. 👏👏

[@just_matt3937]

4:10 man that is crazy. I started watching ASMR videos 4 years ago, but before that I first experienced it through this example. These pasts 4 years, I've repeatedly been stuck between "that's ASMR" and "no way that's ASMR... it doesn't make sense." I was appalled by his response. Edit: just kidding. 4:30 was my first experience. No way!

[@Kelga80]

I love some great ASMR. The best one I've seen is Fred's Voice where he does a Bob Ross role play.

[@phonguyentuhop]

I hasn't known a lot of ASMR, however i was experience when i go wash hair, i fell comfortable. After this video I learn some new thing: everything comfortable help people relax, happy. Lastly, people just want love and respect. So I will soft talk with all people around me. The emotion positive alway accept and created to conect. Lastly, people want to love and respect. So I will do it with all peole.

[@we-must-live]

wise words

[@sharelllee7664]

I like to have my back tickled. The ASMR videos didn't do anything for me, but I do listen to sleep meditation videos frequently.

[@domhamai]

When I was young, maybe 12/13, I was sitting in the back of the car. My mum was in the passenger seat and dad was driving. I asked mum, “mum do you ever get a big warm tingly sensation that washes over your whole body.” She looked at my dad for a moment then said, “not in a long time.” Last time I asked her about anything 🙈🙈🙈

[@we-must-live]

hahaha

[@GabeWilliams]

I’ve been listening to asmr since I was in high school, probably even in 2013 as he mentioned when there was no studies about it. I’ve always known it was a very real thing and I’m glad it’s getting more and more attention over time

[@nicovasmr]

Interesting thanks for this video

[@ShannicanSkywalker]

The whispering creeps me out! 😆

[@axelasmr]

Love it ❤️

[@bultichakraborty739]

Ok good his talks made in to my feelings 👍👍

[@memnoch1313]

There are many benefits that audio/sound frequencies can do for people. ASMR activates similar responses that we get from connecting with others, so in that its definitely special. Many people have a negative view of ASMR because they find it weird or they seen some of the ones where its just people making sounds with items, oftentimes odd items. I've explored much of the ASMR world but i have settled on the personal attention ones because i have the strongest response as well as most relaxing. Ambient/sleep/meditation videos are also included and i love it when i find channels like this that also integrate ASMR. There is a ton of possibilities with ASMR and other sounds, we just need to get more people talking about it.

[@carolditirelo8701]

Chalk crushing ASMAR videos are addictive

[@ivychen1716]

I have a serious sleep problem and I think I should watch some ASMR vedio to fall asleep easily

[@mikehess4494]

Sounds similiar to how a loving mother interacts with a child they love.

[@meman6964]

Bedtime, story, and tuck- in routine. Very calming, happy bonding.

[@emirakdogan312]

I Feel same with this comment when I listen . I think some part of humanbeeing never grow up

[@zeldageek01]

If the place inside the brain after ASMR begins and the place inside the brain after a positive personal attention from a kind and caring individual begins activate the same, do people think ASMR-haters also feel discomfort near kind and caring individuals after positive personal attention begins?

[@vominhthuan7843]

5:18 Subtitles was mistaken

[@Retired_Vegan_Activist]

I’ve never really thought about this before but I used to get this a lot when I was a child when my teacher would lean over my shoulder to help me with my work.

[@PopeDilweed]

The jolt of lightning that went through my body when I sat down and watched an asmr video made me so scared but I was happy. It’s so weird.

[@0kills]

My fav asmr guy: bill pax

[@marziyepakniyat9577]

Great❤

[@lorens6003]

Planning on giving Asmr a try because of this This talk was so much fun Thanks to the speaker and the production team!

[@emirakdogan312]

I think the feelings he talks about is smilar with that a parent talks with his/her child before sleep. I guess all people need and search this feelings and maybe thats why we all feel lonely when we grow up.

[@lahart2003]

This was very interesting. During meditation I feel these tingles.

Relax

[@juelzsan1128]

😂😂😂 Great presentation.

[@nessrindah9452]

you are the best keep going

[@alwaysyouramanda]

I wish I could get this feeling at the dentist. Instead, I’m afraid they’re going to kill me.

[@vaniilla]

ASMR Videos make me feel good and relaxing, especially when I'm not well

[@varshavyas6234]

Thankyou so much.

[@DHREAVER]

I have a negative response to most of those ASMR clips. All the saliva bubble popping/snapping in people's mouths make my skin crawl. I kinda liked the scissor sounds though.

[@MishapTrap]

people trying too hard to do asmr got it all wrong. Nothing will ever compare to the random bouts of asmr when you least expect it.

[@MishapTrap]

Or unintended asmr, prime examples would be old tv shows as was mentioned with bob ross

[@asdabir]

Mine was in school when the kid next to was making pencil sounds when writing, or the teacher writing on chalkboard or reading softly

[@breckloose]

Why is he not whispering this presentation ASMR style?

[@lmc1dj]

I watch Amsr every day, and can validate that it has amazing benefits, it reingages me in experiencing feelings.

[@schm00b0]

I think that whatever gives people goosebumps has something to do with ASMR too. State of calm and deep relaxation seem essential though. As do the specific sounds. It is some kind of simulated association to situations in which we are usually deeply relaxed while someone gives us close personal attention.

[@alexthedog]

ted

[@duckyg-block1068]

Hello

[@sherxanraxmonov6239]

Lablablablab

[@IdaWhispers]

i agree it may be oxytocin; i experienced asmr when breastfeeding 🤱

[@alexthedog]

Creationfied 1 hour ago finally somebody talking about this, ive been struggling to find much proper research on the topic

[@carlosjuarez4043]

When the b. O. b video dropping?

[@invox9490]

The first and last video made me relax, but the others actually made me angry.

[@alexthedog]

Joe Stahl 7 minutes ago There are many benefits that

[@alexthedog]

Lisas MatrixHart 26 minutes ago This was very interesting. During meditation I feel these tingles.

[@pramodsahani9343]

10:13

[@nanahuang9217]

I too used to think that I would pay someone to play with my hair

[@dd7437]

Another Ted talkkk❤

[@LieveLeysen-Discover-]

🤩💖 Brilliant

[@romanumeralz]

‘Bout Time ☕️

[@mizfrenchtwist]

hello , some of my first ASMR experience was someone whispering in my ear with cupped hands in elementary school . then it was julia child and joyce chen's cooking shows in the 60s and bob ross painting , and i have been chasing the " tingles " ever since . i especially enjoy watching shoe shine men working and make up jobs being performed . BTW the examples you showed , does not do it for me........great share , thank you , for sharing..........

[@ShannicanSkywalker]

I love watching Bob Ross for relaxation.. never thought of it as ASMR. My step son talks about ASMR lot and his version makes me cringe.. like chewing near my ear.

[@schwimdandy3820]

I absolutely loathe ASMR and can't get through a video of it. In fact, I had to stop this one at 11:47 because of it. I guess I'm an outlier.

[@DHREAVER]

mouth sounds make my skin crawl, I hate them. But the mechanical sounds I like, like the scissors for example.

[@ClackerJack]

I wonder if the regions of the brain that are excited in humans experiencing ASMR are similar to the regions that are excited in other primates when they engage in social grooming.

[@missitheachievementhuntres560]

I’m wondering if I’m one of those people who where born without it. Meditation and yoga also don’t give me that feeling. What I know for sure is that my hormones are screwed and not working in normal ways.

[@alexthedog]

Mike Hess 38 minutes ago Sounds similiar to how a loving mother interacts with a child they love.

[@mistoic]

My favourite ASMR artist ShibbySays 😉

[@kevinwilliams6889]

Wow!!! All my life I thought I was just a weirdo. Turns out there are a bunch of us. Hehehe

[@alexthedog]

Joe Stahl 5 minutes ago There are many benefits that audio/sound frequencies can do for people. ASMR activates similar responses that we get from connecting with others, so in that its definitely special. Many people have a negative view of ASMR because they find it weird or they seen some of the ones where its just people making sounds with items, oftentimes odd items. I've explored much of the ASMR world but i have settled on the personal attention ones because i have the strongest response as well as most relaxing.

[@believejesusislord578]

Today is my birthday and this is such a great talk to add on this day given I too am a painter, love the bob ross reference

[@Enoo-Wynn]

Happy Birthday!

[@hildakhalisa4858]

Actually, I don't really like ASMR. don't hate it, it's just normal. but after listening to this explanation, and because I am a nursing student, I think that ASMR can be a medium for health therapy. because what I know is that music is one of the media for health therapy, and ASMR has been scientifically proven to have a positive effect on our brains

[@alexthedog]

fresh news here let kkep ee UP now safe

[@MSYNGWIE12]

This man has a weird but good imagination!

[@mikehess4494]

Dr. Pimple Popper also has a lot of subscribers. And her work relaxes people.

[@leticiab.1642]

I love ASMR

[@alexthedog]

A curious, quiet revolution of sound has taken over the internet. Physiologist Craig Richard explains the soothing brain science of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), tracking its rise in popularity and why this fascinating phenomenon is so relaxing to millions of people around the

[@ligiasommers]

Fun and helpful 🤩🙏🏻❤️‍🩹✨🌹

[@domhamai]

I am sure the term ASMR was coined before 2010 - I was exploring ASMR when I was a teenager at least as early as 2007.

[@saorcali]

ASMR helps so much with my anxiety, depression, sleep issues and migraines 🫶🏻 the only thing that could stop my panic attacks was a specific type of reassuring ASMR 😭😂

[@weronikastwora9938]

Proszę o napisy w języku polskim

[@alexthedog]

is thoist fast too where at u'wass

[@alexthedog]

PRIDE went OUT WHERE AROUND WHAT AGE HOW FAR AGO

[@kevinth66]

I guess I'm wired differently. These ASMR samples affected me in a similar way to fingernails on a chalkboard. My hackles go up, my fight-or-flight is engaged, and relaxation is the furthest thing from my mind.

[@light2light499]

Unavoidable Asmr helps relax and put me to sleep! Check him out

[@alexthedog]

i did not say what confused fussi sat

[@mrnukeduster]

Does anyone get an extreme stress response to those types of videos? I, for one, do.

[@AdrianskiASMR]

are you, by any chance, relucntant to intimate contact with others? Or have you experienced any childhood trauma or abuse?

[@ann18o96]

If this is mostly abot the sounds, then you might have misophonia.

[@HoangNguyen-yy6oh]

i feel speaking very bad

[@woofer2121]

so many coughing people not good

[@mikehess4494]

Going to get a massage and getting a happy ending sounds similar....because they are professionals.

[@AdityaMehendale]

Only that no one shall dare to give you a $200k in grant-money to do a PhD on this topic. Sad, but true.

[@tigerstudios]

I remember how I loved popping bubble wrap as a kid... would that be considered ASMR ?

[@toni4729]

Oh, I know exactly what you're talking about.

[@GaasubaMeskhenet]

I always loved going to the dentist when i could afford it