Do you know the definition of ASMR? This guide will give you all of the information you need on the science behind the acronym ASMR!
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Kevin
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January 19, 2022
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Common Questions
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What Does ASMR Stand For?
The abbreviation ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. This phenomenon refers to tingles down spines t and on the top of the head hat can be incited by different sounds such as whispers or crinkling. This tingling sensation is popular in internet role-plays. Not everyone experiences ASMR, but those who do have described the tingles on the back of the neck to feel like a brain massage or “brain orgasm.”
Many different things can trigger ASMR, and many people find comfort in ASMR videos. These usually have slow movements and crisp sounds paired with visual content or visual stimuli. ASMR videos are very popular on YouTube. Many viewers watch these for relaxation. Once you find your common ASMR triggers, they can become addicting!
These can range from videos where it sounds like someone is whispering to you as you get a massage, to tapping sounds or scratching with nails. There are many different categories of ASMR videos, from hair brushing to slime squishing and more. Many YouTube channels and creators that make ASMR videos have many subscribers. Watching these videos can be said to help with anxiety, insomnia, or depression.
What Is the Science Behind ASMR?
There isn’t much research that has been done on ASMR. Steven Novella speculates that it could be a type of small seizure or a very direct way of stimulating a pleasure response. In vertebrates, the brains are wired for pleasure and pain responses.
With evolution, our brains could have evolved to recognize certain sounds or repetitive movements to be pleasurable, thus sending this feeling down our spine. However, there is very little research. There have been some studies done about this phenomenon, but the research is still in its early stages.
Overall, we don’t really know why some people experience ASMR and why some people do not, as well as why certain sounds trigger it in certain people. We do not even know why some people find it relaxing while others find it off-putting.
What Are Other Meanings of ASMR?
There are a few different alternate meanings for ASMR. While ASMR most commonly stands for an autonomous sensory meridian response, it can also stand for a few other things depending on the context. To eliminate confusion, make sure that you clarify when speaking to others about ASMR.
- American Society of Mining and Reclamation
- A Sailor Moon Romance (anime)
- Aviation Support Management Report
- Amelioration du Service Medical Rendu (French)
- Armed Services Medical Regulating Office
- Advanced Surface-Movement Radar
- Australian Society for Medical Research
- Age-Standardized Mortality Rate
- Association Suisse des Maîtres Ramoneurs
What Are Other Involuntary Bodily Functions?
There are many different functions that the body does every day. We do not even realize these are going on within our bodies! While we might think to swing our arms or jump up and down, many of the body’s functions are involuntary. ASMR is one of many involuntary functions that the body does. These include the following:
- Breathing (respiratory) rate
- Electrolyte balance
- Digestion
- Production of body fluids including sweat and saliva
- Heart rate
- Pupillary response
- Body temperature
- Emotional responses
- Metabolism
- Urination and defecation
- Sexual response
- Blood pressure
This is all regulated by something called the autonomic nervous system. This segment of the nervous system is a part of the peripheral nervous system and is responsible for regulating involuntary body functions, like the ones that are mentioned above.
How Does the Autonomic Nervous System Work?
The autonomic nervous system is even further split up into three different categories. In the autonomic nervous system, we have the enteric nervous system, which controls the gastrointestinal tract, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which maintains bodily functions and controls things like the bladder, heart rate, and pupils.
We also have the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates flight or fight response. This can also work in conjunction with the parasympathetic nervous system.
The autonomic nervous system is very important for controlling the body. So much of what we do is involuntary and controlled by the autonomic nervous system. There are many different types of disorders that can affect the autonomic nervous system. There are also conditions that are not directly related to the autonomic nervous system but that can affect it. These and examples of autonomic disorders are listed below.
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Cancer
- Autoimmune disease
- Acute autonomic paralysis
- Diabetes
- Trauma
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Pure autonomic failure
- Familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day syndrome)
- Secondary orthostatic hypotension
- Aging
- Spinal cord disorders
- Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Multiple system atrophy
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Afferent baroreflex failure
- Parkinson’s disease
- Postprandial hypotension
Someone might find out they have autonomic nervous system dysfunction due to many different symptoms, like difficulty emptying the bladder, erectile dysfunction, low blood pressure, gastrointestinal symptoms, and more. While these are sometimes related to the autonomic nervous system this is not always the case.
Be sure to see a doctor to combat any symptoms you are experiencing. Diagnosis of an autonomic disorder requires a doctor’s evaluation. These can be very tricky to diagnose.
Wrapping It Up
Overall, the abbreviation ASMR stands for the autonomous sensory meridian response. This refers to the tingles down the spine that can be caused by repetitive movements or sounds. This trend is popular on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook groups. ASMR, like many involuntary movements of the body, is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is a very complex and important part of the human body.
Sources:
- ASMR – What does ASMR stand for? | The Free Dictionary
- What is ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response)? | What Is It
- ASMR, explained: why YouTube videos of people whispering are so popular | Vox
- Involuntary Action – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
- Function of the Autonomic Nervous System | Very Well Mind
