To ask if you get asmr?

asmrl · 2014-04-15T00:35:12+00:00

Just this really, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_sensory_meridian_response I don't really know how to post links but I get it when people play with my hair or if people are very softly spoken. Nothing sexual just a lovely relaxed feeling that starts with a tingling sensation in the back of my head. I thought everyone got it until I spoke to dh and he thinks it is odd. I have found on youtube and through google that there seems to be a whole community of people who gets this. Do you get it or is it unusual? It is a lovely feeling but very difficult to explain

Mrsfrumble · 15/04/2014 01:46

Yes, I do. My triggers sure quite unusual I think... The whispery videos on YouTube don't do it for me. Instead reading certain passages in certain books give me the lovely brain-fuzz. I didn't realize it was a "thing" until I saw it mentioned in a mumsnet thread. I googled a definition and had an epiphany!

I like to read them before bed as it helps me get to sleep. DH has never questioned why I have the same books on my nightstand for months on end, and why I never seem to make any progress with them

IneedAwittierNickname · 15/04/2014 01:49

I've never heard of it, but from what you've said yes I do. Various triggers including hair stroking and some.voices.
I'm going to google it tomorrow at a more reasonable hour.

FracturedViewOfLife · 15/04/2014 01:54

Yes. From hair/ arm stroking, being drawn on, massage and magicians doing magic tricks.

Original poster

asmrl · 15/04/2014 02:04

I am so glad I am not alone!!! Trying to explain it is so tricky. Come to think of it I do also get it from certain pieces of music, which I suppose is probably similar to your experience Mrsfrumble. I must admit I do feel sorry for people who do not experience it as it is a very different feeling to anything I have felt before. My first recollection of feeling it was at school when a teacher knelt by me and explained something I was struggling with. Although I have just had a browse through I am not sure what to think of the youtube videos

OP posts:

GallstoneCowboy · 15/04/2014 02:08

Yep!

The whispery videos don't trigger me though; they just annoy me. In fact all the deliberate ASMR videos leave me cold. It has to be spontaneous for me, not forced.

Certain passages/phrases/words in books do it for me too MrsFrumble! Also certain voices, particularly male. Watching people read does it too.

I seem to trigger less as I get older :(

Mrsfrumble · 15/04/2014 02:20

Oh, and magic tricks for me too Fractured! I was in an asmr stupor for hours after I first saw Derren Brown on TV.

FracturedViewOfLife · 15/04/2014 02:29

Oh, I was hoping magic tricks affected someone else too.

There were two magicians that used to practice card and slight of hand tricks in the pub I used to work in. I loved it I feel much less odd now. Thanks!

Mrsfrumble · 15/04/2014 03:36

I'm excited to find other people with more varied triggers. Most mentions of asmr I've found online seem very focused on the standard whispery voices / repetitive tasks stuff which I don't really relate to.

DH used to do sleight of hand card tricks in pubs (when we were young and had time to go to pubs). I've never discussed asmr with him so I don't think he knows how significant his pub magician days were in winning my heart!

I think my earliest memory of asmr was at infant school, when the children used to sit on the rug during story time and "draw" on each other's backs with our fingers. My head feels a bit fuzzy just remembering it.

Jellaby · 15/04/2014 03:46

I used to very strongly, but after watching lots of asmr videos I've been desensitised. Occasionally still get a very weak one from hair brushing.

Have decided to stop for a while, see if I can gain anything back. In the meantime I'm using a head massager to restimulate the nerves.

Really is the only way I can relax enough to fall asleep.

ghostmous3 · 15/04/2014 08:44

I get asmr too and readiing certain passages from books was one of my earliest triggers much like an earlier poster. Whisper videos dont do it for me either, i much prefer watching someone do something naturally. There is a channel on youtube called soundsculptures and there is no whispering just a pair of hands doing stuff. She does one where she rewires a plug, its quite informative and i get loads of tingles from that.

ghostmous3 · 15/04/2014 08:45

I get asmr too and readiing certain passages from books was one of my earliest triggers much like an earlier poster. Whisper videos dont do it for me either, i much prefer watching someone do something naturally. There is a channel on youtube called soundsculptures and there is no whispering just a pair of hands doing stuff. She does one where she rewires a plug, its quite informative and i get loads of tingles from that.

ghostmous3 · 15/04/2014 08:45

I get asmr too and readiing certain passages from books was one of my earliest triggers much like an earlier poster. Whisper videos dont do it for me either, i much prefer watching someone do something naturally. There is a channel on youtube called soundsculptures and there is no whispering just a pair of hands doing stuff. She does one where she rewires a plug, its quite informative and i get loads of tingles from that.

ghostmous3 · 15/04/2014 08:46

Whoops. See i loved it so much i reposted that 3 times!

PecanNut · 15/04/2014 08:51

I get this. Never knew what it was called and just assumed that everyone gets it. Don't they?

CheckpointCharlie · 15/04/2014 08:51

Ooooh what is asmr? I thought you had misspelt asthma.
Is it like a rush?

Jellaby · 15/04/2014 08:52

Have a google, it's really interesting. It's when something gives you tingles in your hair follicles and scalp because of how it sounds, looks or feels. Like a non-sexual head orgasm.. If that makes sense!

TippiShagpile · 15/04/2014 08:54

Yes, head/hair stroking. Also the sound of a hairdryer . Having my feet touched is another one.

Somepercentagenotcool · 15/04/2014 08:57

Ah, asmr! Yeah I do sometimes watch the videos on YouTube - most of them are pretty shit, but there are a few that are just soooooooo relaxing!

CheckpointCharlie · 15/04/2014 08:59

I used to get this when I went out clubbing and still get it occasionally when I hear songs from that time, but only at the crescendo bit....? Or when I used my tingley head massager with wires and little beady things on the end but that's all.

Somepercentagenotcool · 15/04/2014 08:59

Some of the YouTube videos definitely tip over into the sexual boundary, they are quite Pervy and hilarious!

CheckpointCharlie · 15/04/2014 09:04

Dd and I just looked at someone tapping a glass candle holder for ages. We did laugh a bit.

Jellaby · 15/04/2014 09:12

Google virtual haircut, should be an Italian barbers.

Doesn't give me asmr, but will give non-asmr-ers a good idea of how playing with sound can affect you. Need headphones though!

UriGeller · 15/04/2014 09:25

I get it with the sound of fingers tapping on a cardboard box and also tap dancing, especially on a heavily lacquered floor, like in the Fred Astaire films.

Yesterday on R2 a man described a painting (John Singer Sargents Lady Agnew) and his passion as he spoke about it made me melt! I also have trouble finishing especially beautiful poetry or prose because of the physical effect it has on my senses

TheLostWinchesterWife · 15/04/2014 09:31

Totally get it. Soft spoken videos but also some music some writing and also certain hand movements. One of.my teachers way of writing on the whiteboard in sixth form used to have me almost vibrating with tingles. My DH thinks I'm weird but it really helps after a day of dealing with 3 wired DCS

RedRoom · 15/04/2014 09:37

Opp, Google 'Opal Tingli wire head massager' if you haven't already encountered one. It may cause you to die of happiness