An autonomous sensory meridian response ASMR [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] is a tingling sensation that usually begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. A pleasant form of paresthesia , [ 5 ] it has been compared with auditory-tactile synesthesia [ 6 ] [ 7 ] and may overlap with frisson. It is most commonly triggered by specific auditory stimuli, and less commonly by intentional attention control.
The term ASMR can also refer to media usually audiovisual meant to evoke this phenomenon, with the sensation itself being informally referred to as "tingles". Although many colloquial and formal terms used and proposed between and included reference to orgasm , a significant majority objected to its use among those active in online discussions.
Many differentiate between the euphoric, relaxing nature of ASMR and sexual arousal. Early proponents of ASMR concluded that the phenomenon was generally unrelated to sexual arousal. In , Jennifer Allen, a participant in an online forum, proposed that the phenomenon be named "autonomous sensory meridian response". Allen chose the words intending or assuming them to have the following specific meanings: [ 13 ].
Allen confirmed in a interview that she purposely selected these terms because they were more objective , comfortable, and clinical than alternative terms for the sensation. The subjective experience , sensation , and perceptual phenomenon of ASMR is described by some of those susceptible to it as "akin to a mild electrical current Though little scientific research has been conducted into potential neurobiological correlations to the perceptual phenomenon, with a consequent dearth of data with which to explain its physical nature, personal commentary from forums, blog posts, and video comments have been analyzed to describe the phenomenon.
ASMR is usually precipitated by stimuli referred to as "triggers". Additionally, ASMR is often triggered by exposure to specific audio and video. Such media may be specially made with the specific purpose of triggering ASMR, or created for other purposes and later discovered to be effective as a trigger. A study of survey respondents found that lower-pitched, complex sounds, and slow-paced, detail-focused videos are especially effective triggers.
