ASMR, short for autonomous sensory meridian response, has been taking over YouTube and the rest of the internet for the past couple of years. Many people can’t stand it, but those who do enjoy it find themselves overwhelmed with a tingling, sometimes static-like feeling that usually begins in the scalp and moves down to the back of the neck and down your spine. If this is your thing, don’t hesitate to take a look at these sensational truths about ASMR.

1. ASMR Is a Physical Response—Not Just an Emotional One

As mentioned earlier, people who enjoy ASMR often experience a pleasant shiver that travels from their head and down the spine. But according to studies, ASMR is purely physical rather than emotional. It also slows down the heart rates of listeners by an average of more than three beats per minute. Also, the conductance levels of their skin (a measure of physiological arousal) were significantly higher than non-ASMR listeners. This explains why people swear by its relaxing benefits and even use it as a coping mechanism for depression, anxiety and insomnia. 

2. There’s an O.G. of ASMR: Landscape Painter Bob Ross

ASMR may have blown up in recent years but American painter Bob Ross was ahead of the curve long before some of these Youtubers were even born. In case you don’t know about him, Bob Ross was the host of the half-hour long program called “The Joy of Painting” where he demonstrated his skills. It wasn’t just his talent that people found to be soothing; it was also the gentle brushstrokes, palate knife scraping and the soft-spoken narration. And this was all before the term ASMR was even coined!

3. ASMR Isn’t Just Limited to Videos

Although ASMR became trendy because of YouTube videos and fancy recording equipment, it turns out that you don’t really need all of that to get that much needed tingle. You can get the same effect with touch-ASMR which involves the body’s more sensitive areas. Even having your hair cut can have the same result – many people find that gentle hair touching, scissors snipping and soft-speaking can induce those pleasant shivers. The same goes for relaxing sounds in nature like waves crashing on the beach or the wind rustling through trees.

4. There’s Some Really Strange ASMR Stuff Out There

As ASMR began to blow up, the nature of the content started becoming a bit, well… creative. Somehow ASMR crossed over into the online gaming community and the end results have angered some of the OG ASMR artists who take their craft seriously. In fact, there’s this online prankster who goes by the name “Best in Class” who gets a kick out of trolling fellow gamers in a soft, whispery tone. There are also over 60,000 people who enjoy watching a woman pet an oversized stuffed pig. The tingles and shivers must be worth it!

5. ASMR Is a Real Moneymaker

ASMR artists are making big bucks on their soft whispering, scratching and tapping skills. There is a 24-year-old YouTuber named Gibi ASMR who earns a whopping half a million every year in revenue. Then there’s 16-year-old Makenna Kelly who monetizes her stardom and 500,000 Instagram followers by earning $900 in just a day. Though, it should be mentioned that their revenue also comes from happy and satisfied viewers who are more than happy to share the love by donating to their favorite ASMRtists via PayPal or any other online platforms.