ASMR Triggers: 5 Common, 6 Weird and How to Unlock Yours
ASMR triggers are the sounds, sights and touches that set off the tingling feeling in your head known as ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response). Below I bring together the common triggers, six weird sound triggers you may not know about, and simple ways to unlock your own.
What Are ASMR Triggers? 5 Common Triggers
Have you heard of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response)? More importantly, are you one of the many people who are able to experience the head tingling sensations caused by ASMR actions and meditation?
If you’ve ever had a feeling that makes you wonder ‘why is my head tingling?’ then you quite possibly have had an ASMR experience. But, did you know ASMR has many triggers? Let’s look at common triggers that make up many ASMR sleep and relaxation videos, and things people have reported to be stimulating.
Whispering
Many ASMR YouTube videos use the power of whispering to leave hundreds of thousands of viewers with head tingling sensations. Female whisper videos are quite common and people who watch them leave comments that suggest the wispy sound actually work to evoke brain tingles that relax them and leave them feeling blissful. ASMR whisper videos and general whispering are also used to help people drift off to sleep.
Weird Sounds that Make the Head Tingle
A variety of unexpected sounds can produce tingling feelings inside the head, evidenced in many ASMR videos and techniques. In fact, one of the first videos linked to ASMR is one containing the sound of a paintbrush applying paint to a canvas, producing a series of definitively raspy sounds in the process. Other sounds which people have reported as having a soothing, tingling effect include the pouring of sand, crumpling paper or plastic, scratching and tapping, popping, and repetitive humming sounds. Some ASMR artists use a variety of background noises, such as scratching and rubbing things together, creating varying sounds that can trigger ASMR tingles.
Head Touching
The head is filled with nerve endings, from the hair covering, it to the thin skin of the face. Soft strokes on the head can produce brain tingling sensations that spread out through the neck and shoulders, helping to provide relaxation. ASMR head touching works particularly well on babies in calming them down and even putting them to sleep. However, having a loved one softly touching the head and face can act as ASMR sleep therapy for adults who have a hard time sleeping, as well as helping to provide relaxation during stressful periods.
Listening to Soothing Music
Music has long provided relaxation and solace for many people. But, it can provide even deeper sensations when it triggers an ASMR reaction. From ancient, spiritual symphonies to modern and contemporary arrangements, there are many soothing musical arrangements that can cause head tingles for different kinds of people. Among the many ASMR YouTube videos, you will find that some use music in the background to complement whispers and sounds that trigger the tingling effect. Others use binaural ASMR beats that operate on a certain frequency and induce relaxation.
Close Attention
We all like to be pampered and taken care of, so it probably should not be surprising that getting close attention from others can also trigger tingling in the head. Personal attention activities, such as getting haircuts, massages, manicures, and even doctor examinations, can bring about relaxing feelings and contentment. That explains why people tend to nod off in the salon chair or while getting massages; probably due to ASMR sleep relaxation kicking in.
ASMR triggers are everywhere. What’s yours? If you haven’t found it yet, or are new to ASMR, there are many ASMR videos online that you can check out to see what works for you.
6 Weird ASMR Sound Triggers
Having recently become an ASMR meditation practitioner, I have been delving more and more into the topic. And, from watching numerous ASMRtists in videos and reading the reactions of people, I have come to realize that head tingle triggers are numerous and varied.
With sound being the main trigger for the brain tingling sensation, I have also learnt that people can get an autonomous sensory meridian response to almost any sound. Here are six ASMR sound triggers that you probably haven’t heard about but could give you that head tingling sensation you seek.
- Rustling book leaves: Watching and listening to someone turning the pages of a book may not seem like ASMR material. But, from exploring a few YouTube videos, it seems this is a trigger for quite a few people based on their comments. The type of books can vary from hardcovers to magazines, and the page-flipping actions can go from pretty languid to crisp. Quite a few people agree that the rustling sound of the book leaves, often without any speech or music, is able to relax them and even induce sleep.
- Oral sounds: If you like how a wet kiss sounds, this just might be the ASMR trigger that sets off tingles in the back of your head. While these sounds made with the mouth may gross out some people, others have reported getting massive head tingles that relax them. In addition to the sound of wet kisses, other oral sounds that may act as ASMR stimuli include eating sounds and the sound of wetting the lips.
- Interesting word triggers: It does not matter if you have a vast, or limited vocabulary, there are certain words that have been declared as ASMR trigger words. These words have been sworn by a number of people to give awesome brain tingles that are calming and relaxing. From simple words such as “tusk,” “book” and “cat” to somewhat more complicated words such as “Kabuki,” “smitten” and “squish,” you could be triggered by an ASMR video with someone saying these words repeatedly or while listening to a friend talk.
- Typing: The mechanical sound of tapping the keys of a computer keyboard or old typewriter is also identified as another ASMR sound trigger that could bring about that tingling head feeling. People who reported being triggered by the click-clacking sound identified different scenarios, from watching ASMR videos on YouTube to listening to their co-workers typing.
- Fizzing sounds: If you love beer or soda, this may just be the brain orgasm trigger you have been missing. This is no excuse to not drink responsibly, but a number of people agree that the fizzing sound made by opened cans of beer and soda is quite relaxing. For these people, the hissing sound of carbon dioxide escaping in a hurry, somehow gave them goosebumps while giving a head tingle.
- Animal sounds: From cat purrs to wolves howling in the distance, a number of animal sounds have been identified as ASMR head tingle triggers. If you have pets, it might just be a matter of you listening closer to the sounds they make, or you could watch ASMR sleep and relaxation videos that portray animal sounds.
There are many more ASMR sound triggers being experienced by people. What’s your weirdest trigger to date? I would love to hear from you.
How to Unlock Your ASMR Triggers
If you’re new to ASMR, chances are you’re either trying to find out if you can experience what others have been talking about or exploring different sensory triggers.
Whatever the case, unlocking ASMR brain tingling triggers are seemingly easier for some people than others. Let’s talk about how you can increase your chances of experiencing this life-changing sensation more often than not.
ASMR, which means autonomous sensory meridian response, is a pleasurable feeling of tingling in the head that can relax you and even help you fall asleep. Described as a brain orgasm or ‘braingasm’, the tingling feeling in the head is triggered mainly by different sounds but can also come from physical and visual stimuli. Different people who experience ASMR have different triggers, and some have numerous triggers. However, there are those who have not yet found their trigger, which begs the question of whether everyone is able to experience head tingles from ASMR.
It is believed that almost everyone can experience ASMR, since most people have in fact felt tingles in their heads as young children. Over time, some people may forget or block out these tingling sensations and the stimuli that triggered them but as many ASMR newbies have found out, all it takes is the right trigger.
So, how can you unlock these ASMR triggers and start reaping the sleep and relaxation benefits of these tingles in the back of the head? There are many ways but let’s look at a few:
- Watch different ASMR videos on YouTube: You can find a plethora of videos on YouTube focusing on different ASMR sound and visual triggers, from female whisperers to role players who carry out visually interesting actions. Depending on where your research takes you, you may come across ASMR videos that seem pretty mundane, such as someone blabbering endlessly in an enhanced microphone; or weird content, such as someone whispering in accent you don’t understand while scratching a piece of cloth. As long as you feel comfortable with what you’re watching/listening to, you should explore them all, because your trigger could be anything, regardless of how boring or wild it may seem.
- Indulge in more personal attention activities: Some people are able to experience ASMR hand relaxation from people touching them. This can be in situations such as getting a massage, a head rub, doing your nails, seeing the doctor/ dentist, or getting a haircut/styling. If you haven’t done any of these in a while, now would be a good time to do so in order to find out if you can get head tingles in any of these ways.
- Start paying attention: Whether you’re riding on the train or watching animals at the zoo, start paying more attention to your body and how it reacts to sensory stimuli around you. Many times, you may be on the verge of a head tingling feeling but miss out because you’re not paying attention to your body. The more aware you are of your body’s sensory responses, the easier it will be to recognize and open up to triggers that could elicit brain tingles which relax you and help you fall asleep.
It is important that you try to find your ASMR triggers because the pleasurable feeling of head tingles can help you live a better life. Let me know what your triggers are and how you found them.
Watch: ASMR for Sleep and Relaxation
ASMR Triggers: Frequently Asked Questions
What are ASMR triggers?
ASMR triggers are sounds, visuals or physical sensations that create a pleasant tingling feeling in the head, often spreading to the neck and shoulders. Whispering, tapping, page turning and personal attention are among the most common.
What is the most common ASMR trigger?
Whispering is one of the most common triggers. Many ASMR videos use soft whispering, often combined with tapping, crinkling or brushing sounds.
What are some unusual ASMR triggers?
Less common triggers include fizzing soda, typing, rustling book pages, animal sounds such as cat purrs, and certain trigger words like “squish” or “Kabuki”.
Why do I not feel ASMR tingles?
Many people simply have not found their trigger yet. Try a wide variety of videos, notice how your body responds to everyday sounds and personal attention, and give each trigger a few minutes.
Can ASMR help me relax?
Many people use ASMR videos to unwind and prepare for sleep. Pair them with a regular meditation practice for a calming evening routine.
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