Fans of ASMR videos are more receptive to their environment: Research

Fans of ASMR videos are more likely to be attentive to their environment and moods, according to a study conducted by the University of Essex. ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, has gripped the internet, with millions of people viewing viral videos of murmured voices, delicate hand gestures, or tapping. Surprisingly, only a few people experience this soothing tingling feeling that extends down the spine.

Dr. Giulia Poerio of the Department of Psychology revealed that persons who experience it are hypersensitive to their surroundings.

According to the study published in The Journal of Research in Personality, they are more affected by noise and movement and are quickly overstimulated.

They are also more sensitive to physiological experiences, such as noting physical changes when feeling emotions. Dr. Poerio stated: “It truly is a two-edged sword. “Although highly sensitive persons might experience incredibly enjoyable emotions such as ASMR, this sensitivity also has drawbacks.

“For example, the clicking of a pen or the chewing of gum may elicit a negative reaction that others would just ignore.”

More than 500 people were selected for the study, and they were tested for ASMR and sensory sensitivity. Dr. Poerio now aims to expand on his results in order to explain how and why strongly pleasant feelings occur, which might lead to new treatment approaches. “We know a lot less about good emotions than we do about negative ones, especially when it comes to complicated emotional experiences like ASMR,” Dr. Poerio noted.

“I’m interested in attempting to understand these under-researched emotions in order to discover strategies to improve them in people’s daily lives.”