Whispering your way to 'brain orgasms'
March 31, 2016 2:43 PM Subscribe
I listened to one of those ASMR videos on Youtube for about three seconds once. It felt like someone was wiggling their fingers inside my skull.
posted by Solomon at 3:25 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Solomon at 3:25 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have absolutely no idea what this post is about, because "This video is unavailable".
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:47 PM on March 31, 2016
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:47 PM on March 31, 2016
I saw Claire Tolan do her ASMR act as a support act at a Holly Herndon gig. My impression was that, were someone to start a mystery cult based on Napster-era file-sharing, its rituals would probably have looked like that.
posted by acb at 3:48 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by acb at 3:48 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
It felt like someone was wiggling their fingers inside my skull.
See also: Cilantro.
I frequently use ASMR videos to help me fall asleep.
posted by Cyrano at 3:49 PM on March 31, 2016
See also: Cilantro.
I frequently use ASMR videos to help me fall asleep.
posted by Cyrano at 3:49 PM on March 31, 2016
I frequently use ASMR videos to help me fall asleep.
Yes. I don't get whatever tingle effect it is at all, but a few minutes of video and boom, out like a light. [Non-asmr] channels that make miniatures and Japanese candy are also great for this.
If you have trouble falling asleep at night, give it a shot.
posted by phunniemee at 4:21 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
Yes. I don't get whatever tingle effect it is at all, but a few minutes of video and boom, out like a light. [Non-asmr] channels that make miniatures and Japanese candy are also great for this.
If you have trouble falling asleep at night, give it a shot.
posted by phunniemee at 4:21 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
I heard a radio segment on ASMR once which said, "And the most popular ASMR performers are all young women, so you know what that's about."
I thought to myself: It's probably about being mothered. A lot of the sounds involved are what you hear if someone is gently running their fingers over your ears or head or blanket. Add in the soft whispering, and it's pretty much what I do when I'm putting my daughter to sleep. (Minus the fact that I'm not a young woman, of course.)
On the other hand, you can always use ASMR in your hustle.
posted by clawsoon at 4:30 PM on March 31, 2016 [9 favorites]
I thought to myself: It's probably about being mothered. A lot of the sounds involved are what you hear if someone is gently running their fingers over your ears or head or blanket. Add in the soft whispering, and it's pretty much what I do when I'm putting my daughter to sleep. (Minus the fact that I'm not a young woman, of course.)
On the other hand, you can always use ASMR in your hustle.
posted by clawsoon at 4:30 PM on March 31, 2016 [9 favorites]
They didn't interview Lita the massage lady? I feel like she (unintentionally) started a lot of this stuff on Youtube. I always thought of her as a female Bob Ross - a super soothing, natural voice that I liked hearing - I never got the tingles though from either her or Bob.
posted by Calloused_Foot at 4:31 PM on March 31, 2016
posted by Calloused_Foot at 4:31 PM on March 31, 2016
I've experienced this all my life. Usually what triggers it for me is getting a haircut or a doctor's exam. It's sort of like having my skin crawl except it's localized to my scalp & I don't feel creeped out by it. Definitely pleasurable, fun but not sexual. Not sure what to think about all these videos though. It's always been very personal & private to me.
posted by scalefree at 4:55 PM on March 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 4:55 PM on March 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
yeah 8+ years ago I was into watching massage videos, chakra BS, hypnotic induction, reflexology vids -- for the "mirror neuron" effect, and Lita's voice was so great.
(Ten years ago I posted this to the blue since I've always been relaxed by this sort of stuff)
The term "ASMR" came to my attention earlier this decade when some typical wikipedia Nazis deleted the ASMR article, and while I don't have ASMR per se all that much now, back when I was a kid I certainly got tingles from e.g. haircuts etc.
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 5:06 PM on March 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
(Ten years ago I posted this to the blue since I've always been relaxed by this sort of stuff)
The term "ASMR" came to my attention earlier this decade when some typical wikipedia Nazis deleted the ASMR article, and while I don't have ASMR per se all that much now, back when I was a kid I certainly got tingles from e.g. haircuts etc.
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 5:06 PM on March 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
Ever since being on Cymbalta I don't get the tingles anymore. And there are a few guys out there that do videos.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:09 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:09 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
With the search tool on youtube you can find quality stuff.
Here is 2 min 3 sec nighttime crickets and frogs from Jamaica.
posted by bukvich at 5:29 PM on March 31, 2016
Here is 2 min 3 sec nighttime crickets and frogs from Jamaica.
posted by bukvich at 5:29 PM on March 31, 2016
Ally is the best. She's creative and funny, and her videos are super high quality. I've watched Departures 1 and 2 countless times to fall asleep.
posted by schoolgirl report at 6:22 PM on March 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by schoolgirl report at 6:22 PM on March 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
I think I have anti-ASMR because these videos actually kind of give me the creeps (nothing personal about the people who make them, just all that whispering and slow-talking freaks me out), but I listen to podcasts to fall asleep and the one that sends me out in minutes is 99% Invisible. Roman Mars' voice is like Ambien to me.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:33 PM on March 31, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:33 PM on March 31, 2016 [8 favorites]
I've found some ASMR videos to be relaxing and enjoyable as background sounds in headphones, but I cannot stand the clicky-saliva mouth sound some of those folks make. I don't know if it's an overly hot mic, or just dry mouth, but it's an instant dealbreaker.
posted by a halcyon day at 7:27 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by a halcyon day at 7:27 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
Presenting 8 hours of rain on a tent. Where are the cicadas?
posted by Oyéah at 7:56 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by Oyéah at 7:56 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
I thought to myself: It's probably about being mothered. A lot of the sounds involved are what you hear if someone is gently running their fingers over your ears or head or blanket. Add in the soft whispering, and it's pretty much what I do when I'm putting my daughter to sleep.
IIRC, isn't this basically The Entertainment from Infinite Jest? Only the mother figure is saying "I'm sorry" or something similar.
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:58 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
IIRC, isn't this basically The Entertainment from Infinite Jest? Only the mother figure is saying "I'm sorry" or something similar.
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:58 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
Here are the cicadas.
It is the sixty second one. I need link schooling, well, or not.
posted by Oyéah at 8:03 PM on March 31, 2016
It is the sixty second one. I need link schooling, well, or not.
posted by Oyéah at 8:03 PM on March 31, 2016
I'm another of those whose brain is apparently wired in reverse, because the only reaction I've ever had to the ASMR recordings I've tried to listen to is wanting the person to immediately stop talking and never again utter another word, because holy smokes is that irritating.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 8:36 PM on March 31, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 8:36 PM on March 31, 2016 [7 favorites]
I don't get whatever tingle effect it is at all, but a few minutes of video and boom, out like a light.
I don't get the "tingling" thing at all either. But I have never had a job where I was told my "phone voice" wasn't amazing, after years and years of help desk work. It's more about mad respect for knowing how someone else knows to use their voice.
posted by Cyrano at 8:53 PM on March 31, 2016
I don't get the "tingling" thing at all either. But I have never had a job where I was told my "phone voice" wasn't amazing, after years and years of help desk work. It's more about mad respect for knowing how someone else knows to use their voice.
posted by Cyrano at 8:53 PM on March 31, 2016
While I love the fact that someone has put a name to the feeling I've had in every eye exam, certain camps within the grand rubric of ASMR both confuse and infuriate me.
The people who insist on breathily whispering when it's more like a confident sotto voce that gets me? I can forgive them, that's just a difference in what tickles our brains. The people who get off on the sound of chewing and lip-smacking, however, need to be sent to a re-education camp or at least receive a sternly worded letter.
posted by Panjandrum at 9:25 PM on March 31, 2016 [8 favorites]
The people who insist on breathily whispering when it's more like a confident sotto voce that gets me? I can forgive them, that's just a difference in what tickles our brains. The people who get off on the sound of chewing and lip-smacking, however, need to be sent to a re-education camp or at least receive a sternly worded letter.
posted by Panjandrum at 9:25 PM on March 31, 2016 [8 favorites]
The people who get off on the sound of chewing and lip-smacking, however, need to be sent to a re-education camp or at least receive a sternly worded letter.
"It has come to our attention that you have been feeling a tingle in your scalp from the wrong stimuli. A pair of Enforcement Officers will escort you to the Stimulus Response Realignment Center tomorrow at 0600 hours."
posted by straight at 9:34 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
"It has come to our attention that you have been feeling a tingle in your scalp from the wrong stimuli. A pair of Enforcement Officers will escort you to the Stimulus Response Realignment Center tomorrow at 0600 hours."
posted by straight at 9:34 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
The only feeling I get from these videos is the urge to grab the person by the collar and tell them to SPEAK. THE. FUCK. UP.
posted by HighLife at 10:03 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by HighLife at 10:03 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
I get the sensation described, but scratching doesn't do it for me. I think my first experience was hearing Kronos Quartet perform Part in concert.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 10:38 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 10:38 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
I've never had anything similar to an ASMR experience until I saw something on the video -- the woman making the tsk tsk tsk tsk noise. That was an odd sensation.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 2:10 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 2:10 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yeah I have anti-ASMR too. All ASMR or similar attempts to induce that response put me instantly and completely on edge. Massively tense, teeth gritted fists balled.
It's a fascinating response in humans. There is undoubtedly an effect, and in me a strong one. It's just not in the direction that I'd like.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:12 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
It's a fascinating response in humans. There is undoubtedly an effect, and in me a strong one. It's just not in the direction that I'd like.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:12 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I get the back of neck tingle when I hear perfect music. I always called it the baby music orgasm. Oddly it isn't solely a reflection on the piece of music, it is also dependent on the particular performance.
posted by koolkat at 4:52 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by koolkat at 4:52 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
OK, I have an idea for an ASMR video:
You'd shoot it from the point of view of a baby in a cradle, ideally using kind of a wobbly rotating lens to simulate the vision of a newborn. The speaker would be a woman, possibly wearing a veil, although if the wobbly lens rig works right you might not even be able to tell. Anyway, you have her repeat in a very soothing voice over and over that she's sorry, she's so sorry.
I dunno, I think it could really be something.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 5:02 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
You'd shoot it from the point of view of a baby in a cradle, ideally using kind of a wobbly rotating lens to simulate the vision of a newborn. The speaker would be a woman, possibly wearing a veil, although if the wobbly lens rig works right you might not even be able to tell. Anyway, you have her repeat in a very soothing voice over and over that she's sorry, she's so sorry.
I dunno, I think it could really be something.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 5:02 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
All this talk of people listening to ASMR or podcasts to go to sleep reminds me of the time Neko Case put 30 minutes of cricket chirping at the end of one of her albums. I was already inclined to fall asleep to her music, because I just love it so much, and the crickets were a perfect way to transition from singing to sleeping.
posted by tobascodagama at 5:18 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by tobascodagama at 5:18 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Then I found this one that turns out to be one by Heather Feather featured in the video.
Er, clearly not for everyone, the scratchy sounds are still giving me the creeps, the lamp was ok but then, omg she's looking at me. Yeppers would probably be quite effective the next time I'm looking to give myself some angsty nightmares where I wake to a cold sweat.
posted by sammyo at 5:44 AM on April 1, 2016
Er, clearly not for everyone, the scratchy sounds are still giving me the creeps, the lamp was ok but then, omg she's looking at me. Yeppers would probably be quite effective the next time I'm looking to give myself some angsty nightmares where I wake to a cold sweat.
posted by sammyo at 5:44 AM on April 1, 2016
Now I want a nap. I get the asmr thing now. This is cool.
Oh man, you are not kidding. I could basically feel my heartrate go down (in a good way).
I definitely get the scalp tingle and relaxation part, but I think another advantage is that it just...soothes me. Especially in that Heather Feather video, she spends a long time explaining what she's about to do, what she's using for the scalp massage, how it works, and she's doing it all in a nice, soothing, friendly voice. I cannot tell you how much I would give to have that be a larger feature in my life; to not have to guess at what I'm supposed to do or what's going on, but have it clearly explained to me by someone who is super-dedicated to explaining everything, and isn't hurried in the least about it. Bliss.
posted by kalimac at 6:04 AM on April 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
Oh man, you are not kidding. I could basically feel my heartrate go down (in a good way).
I definitely get the scalp tingle and relaxation part, but I think another advantage is that it just...soothes me. Especially in that Heather Feather video, she spends a long time explaining what she's about to do, what she's using for the scalp massage, how it works, and she's doing it all in a nice, soothing, friendly voice. I cannot tell you how much I would give to have that be a larger feature in my life; to not have to guess at what I'm supposed to do or what's going on, but have it clearly explained to me by someone who is super-dedicated to explaining everything, and isn't hurried in the least about it. Bliss.
posted by kalimac at 6:04 AM on April 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
All I know about ASMR is from a couple of FPPs here and watching some of the linked videos, but add me to the people whose reaction is to find it creepy rather than relaxing. Quite literally different strokes for different folks, I guess.
For me, these videos are the visual equivalent of bad fiction written in the second person, off-putting rather than immersive, so it is fascinating to me how different the positive reactions are, and what is going on that gives people such different experiences from the same media.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 AM on April 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
For me, these videos are the visual equivalent of bad fiction written in the second person, off-putting rather than immersive, so it is fascinating to me how different the positive reactions are, and what is going on that gives people such different experiences from the same media.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 AM on April 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
The fact that some people are being lulled into sleep by the same phenomena that give some people chills and gives other people the creeps is fascinating to me.
I bet this is how the Bene Gesserit discovered The Voice.
posted by eclectist at 8:55 AM on April 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
I bet this is how the Bene Gesserit discovered The Voice.
posted by eclectist at 8:55 AM on April 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
I love ASMR stuff. I mostly search Youtube for "asmr no talking", because talking means lip-smacking and I'd rather die.
My current go-to is this one with kinetic sand.
posted by XtinaS at 9:23 AM on April 1, 2016
My current go-to is this one with kinetic sand.
posted by XtinaS at 9:23 AM on April 1, 2016
I have a friend on facebook who posts videos of ladies getting weaves, and makeup tutorials, and I do neither of those things but damned if I can scroll past because they trance me so.
posted by Lou Stuells at 10:38 AM on April 1, 2016
posted by Lou Stuells at 10:38 AM on April 1, 2016
I hadn't heard of this before. I listened to a few videos, expecting that I wouldn't feel anything, and totally felt it. Interesting.
However, the talking totally doesn't do it for me. Not because of any weird mouth noises, but because my brain interprets words as "WORDS!!! INFORMATION IS BEING TRANSMITTED!!! PAY ATTENTION NOW NOW NOW!!!" It took me ages to learn to do anything while music with lyrics is playing, it's really strong.
> "I mostly search Youtube for 'asmr no talking' ..."
Well, now, that works. :)
posted by kyrademon at 11:10 AM on April 1, 2016
However, the talking totally doesn't do it for me. Not because of any weird mouth noises, but because my brain interprets words as "WORDS!!! INFORMATION IS BEING TRANSMITTED!!! PAY ATTENTION NOW NOW NOW!!!" It took me ages to learn to do anything while music with lyrics is playing, it's really strong.
> "I mostly search Youtube for 'asmr no talking' ..."
Well, now, that works. :)
posted by kyrademon at 11:10 AM on April 1, 2016
Before the internet gave it a name (that doesn't really seem to mean anything but hey?) I thought of it as "the haircut effect" because a.) I get it when actually getting my hair cut b.) I get it from that ancient "VR haircut" video, which I think is where quite a few people figured out that the sensation can be triggered indirectly in the right mindset. I used to watch a lot of stuff from the ASMR subreddit - not coincidentally during a period where I lived alone and smoked a lot of weed - but I kinda got bored with it or just desensitized. I never really thought most of the "young woman whispering" ones were that great either, with a couple exceptions. Some of my favorites were people doing calligraphy/art/handicrafts. Sometimes stuff with a visual component works too, like watching someone get a massage.
posted by atoxyl at 11:43 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by atoxyl at 11:43 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Many different things can do this do me, such as watching ripples on a field of grass blowing in the wind, looking at the gleaming and convoluted surface of water coming out of a non-aerated faucet, the lemon-yellow sunlight that slants through my south-facing kitchen window on spring and fall afternoons; multiple kinds of music (why would I even waste my time with music that can't?), lots of books (for some even just reciting titles in my mind), visualizing my partner's face, moments of far-reaching insight, and etc.
When it's particularly strong, I'll hear a billowing thunderousness in my ears as from very distant lightning, and my skull will make popping and cracking sounds along the joints -- and I have to watch out that I don't burst into sobs in public, which has been quite embarrassing on a few occasions.
One of the most powerful and prolonged episodes ever came in the wake of a brain injury that I was very afraid had abolished it altogether. After a couple of fallow months, I gathered my courage and asked 'are you still there?' in my inner voice, and the response was so overwhelming it was five or six minutes before I regained any sense of myself or awareness of my surroundings.
posted by jamjam at 12:36 PM on April 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
When it's particularly strong, I'll hear a billowing thunderousness in my ears as from very distant lightning, and my skull will make popping and cracking sounds along the joints -- and I have to watch out that I don't burst into sobs in public, which has been quite embarrassing on a few occasions.
One of the most powerful and prolonged episodes ever came in the wake of a brain injury that I was very afraid had abolished it altogether. After a couple of fallow months, I gathered my courage and asked 'are you still there?' in my inner voice, and the response was so overwhelming it was five or six minutes before I regained any sense of myself or awareness of my surroundings.
posted by jamjam at 12:36 PM on April 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
wow, jamjam, that's fascinating.
posted by you're a kitty! at 1:56 PM on April 1, 2016
posted by you're a kitty! at 1:56 PM on April 1, 2016
I'm actually getting some scalp tingling just from reading this thread. Sympathetic response I guess. Still haven't gone looking at videos.
posted by scalefree at 7:35 PM on April 1, 2016
posted by scalefree at 7:35 PM on April 1, 2016
I have this weird nerve itching in the palms of my hands and soles of my feet. I've been told it is restless leg syndrome. Those ASMR videos set it of and fiercely so.
posted by pattern juggler at 4:57 AM on April 2, 2016
posted by pattern juggler at 4:57 AM on April 2, 2016
« Older what makes a villain great? | 20 Years of Help-lessness Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by grumpybear69 at 2:58 PM on March 31, 2016 [4 favorites]