Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response

This entry provides an overview of extant research on the phenomenon of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR). ASMR is a pleasant tingling sensation (often described as “brain tingles”) that some people experience in response to a set of triggers including whispering, tapping, and soft speaking. Now, nearly 10 years since the term ASMR was coined, it has become increasingly mainstream and prevalent in popular culture. Large online communities on sites such as YouTube allow people to watch videos created to trigger ASMR which they use to combat insomnia and improve mood. This entry covers the small but growing body of research on ASMR, its historical context, descriptive characteristics, and neurological and physiological basis. The association between ASMR and other perceptual phenomena (synesthesia, misophonia, and frisson) as well as its link to individual difference variables (personality, empathy, flow/absorption, and mindfulness), is also discussed.