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What is ASMR? 10 YouTube Videos That Will Give You The Chills

It's a well-known fact that you can find anything on the Internet, including communities that coalesce around the strangest and most specialized topics. Case in point:the ASMR community that focuses on the Sensory Autonomic Meridian Response .

Not sure what that is? Neither did I, so I spent some time researching it and found that it described a strange feeling that I've been experiencing since childhood but could never put into words for others.

If you've ever felt a strange tingling sensation on your scalp, neck, or spine for no apparent reason, you may have had "ASMR tingles." Keep reading to find out what they are..

What is ASMR??

ASMR is best described as a physical tingling sensation that usually begins in the scalp and moves down through the spine and sometimes to the extremities. It is a pleasant sensation that many would call relaxing..

ASMR is also known as AIHO (attention induced head) or AIE (attention induced euphoria), but ASMR is by far the most popular variation of the term.

The feeling of ASMR is usually caused by an external stimulus, which is colloquially known as "ASMR Triggers." Triggers can differ from person to person. Some common ASMR triggers include:

  • The sound of lips smacking, like when eating.
  • Slow or soft speech patterns, including whispers.
  • Getting personal attention from someone, like doing your hair, putting on makeup, getting an eye exam, getting a massage, etc.
  • Someone play with your hair..
  • Certain sounds can trigger ASMR, such as crackling fire, paper noise, white noise, running water, etc.
  • Watching someone perform a meticulous task, such as fixing an electronic device, working origami, making tea, etc.

Not everyone experiences ASMR. If you don't have the faintest idea of ​​what I've described so far, you probably don't have the ASMR answer. However, if this sounds like something you've experienced before, then you can manually induce it by watching videos that include one or more of the above ASMR triggers.

Here are some videos that have been known to activate ASMR in viewers. Sit back, relax and just watch-preferably with headphones!

1. Bob Ross and the joy of painting

Of all the people I know who have ASMR, it seems the most common ASMR trigger is Bob Ross. He just has that kind of voice that not only soothes, but also makes you want to relax and listen. On top of that, he always has pearls of wisdom that he injects into his program..

It's a shame that he can no longer continue his show. RIP Bob Ross. Thank you for leaving behind 30 seasons of The Joy of Painting for us to enjoy our ASMR fixes.

2. ASMR Cat

Easily my favorite ASMR video on all of YouTube, and there are dozens of equally cute and relaxing videos uploaded to the YouTube channel, all starring the same cat named Sammy. Between the preparation and the food, there are many chills waiting for you. Note: Be sure to check out the super 150 minute ASMR Cat compilation!

3. Cranial nerve exam

This video is the perfect example of the “watching someone do something meticulously” trigger. In it, Dr. James Kelly performs a 9-minute long cranial nerve exam on Pat LaFontaine, and whether you're susceptible to ASMR or not, you'll find yourself engrossed as he breaks it down test after test. Very interesting!

4. How to iron a shirt

It could be said that this video started the online ASMR community. This video is a remake of the original, which first hit YouTube many years before, way back when "ASMR" wasn't even a conventional term. It's soothing to watch, and as a bonus, you can even learn how to iron those pesky wrinkles out of your shirts properly.

5. The hotel staff prepares the futon.

Watch as these two Japanese hotel employees turn turndown into an art form. Almost effortlessly, they set up two futons with bedding and blankets, and all the wonderful ASMR sounds that come with that. It's a joy to watch, and even if it doesn't turn ASMR on for you, you'll still find it oddly satisfying.

6. How to cut citrus fruits

In this video, J. Kenji Lopez-Alt of Serious Eats delivers unintentional ASMR on a grapefruit slice.

Some may disagree with me, but it seems to me that non-speaking videos tend to make the best ASMR videos, Bob Ross excluded. Like the ASMR Cat and How to Iron a Shirt videos above, it's the pleasant pace of the work being done that gives me the best chills.

7. Apply an iPhone screen saver

Here's another great example of ASMR brought on by watching a meticulous person do meticulous things. In this case, Gavin's pride in his work combined with the soft sounds as he works makes for a subdued but enjoyable ASMR experience. If only all customer service representatives had his kind of work ethic.

8. Make a cup of tea

Yang Haiying is a soft-spoken Asian woman with thousands of videos uploaded to her Youtube account. The videos cover a ton of topics ranging from painting to cooking to tea making. I've only seen tea-related videos of her, but she has the kind of voice that will make you cringe, and she knows it too. Some of her videos are titled and labeled “Unseen ASMR,” so she definitely knows the power of her sweet voice.

9. Fountain pen

This video has two main ASMR triggers:the scratch of the fountain pen tip against the raw canvas paper, and the intricate details of the writer's calligraphy. The scratching is what gets me into this video..

Even if you don't get an ASMR response from this, I think you'll enjoy watching it. The clip is relatively short and gives you a glimpse into the ingenious world of calligraphy and handwriting.

10. Making fire with IKEA products

Lastly, this video showcases the ASMR triggers of snaps, scratches, shaves, and crackles – all the different sounds that are known to trigger an ASMR response. If these kinds of sounds don't get you, at least you'll learn how to make a fire from scratch using only IKEA products.

Best ASMR Videos:What Else Is Out There?

Did you get chills down your spine and a tingling sensation on your scalp? If so, congratulations! You have been blessed with the opportunity to enjoy such a pleasurable experience..

If you want more ASMR related videos go to /r/ASMR on Reddit and join over 165,000 users who also enjoy tingles. If craftsmanship and meticulous workmanship are one of your triggers, be sure to check out our list of fascinating artisan videos. Such skill and passion that he had no choice but to watch and admire in awe? As I traverse the Internet from day to day... Read More .