You might have ASMR and not know it!

Gráinne · 01-15-2012, 02:21 PM

All my life, I've had this "thing" that happens while watching certain things or from certain sounds or sensations. It's a tingling that starts at the base of my neck and radiates down my spine and up into my scalp. It does feel sort of like getting "turned on", but it's not exactly sexual. The strangest things can set it off, many not even sexual. I was reading another forum and found it has a name: Autonomous Sensory Median Response.

The definition listed on asmr-research.org describes it as this: "...a physical sensation characterized by a pleasurable tingling that typically begins in the head and scalp, and often moves down the spine and through the limbs." It also lists some common external triggers:

•Exposure to slow, accented, or unique speech patterns
•Viewing educational or instructive videos or lectures
•Experiencing a high empathetic or sympathetic reaction to an event
•Enjoying a piece of art or music
•Watching another person complete a task, often in a diligent, attentive manner - examples would be filling out a form, writing a check, going through a purse or bag, inspecting an item closely, etc.
•Close, personal attention from another person
•Haircuts, or other touch from another on head or back

It's related to, but not quite the same, as the chills you get from a piece of music. I do know, however, that I have responses to much of the music in the "Listening" thread, which may explain its popularity

.

I've found that YouTube and Reddit have entire groups of ASMR videos, such as women brushing their long hair and putting it up, fiddling with marbles, or filling out forms. Double whammy if the woman (it's almost always a woman) has an accent. Maybe this explains why accents can be so sexy?

I love getting my hair cut, less about the cut than the wash and scalp massage! Oh yummy. I even love washing my car or driving through the slap-slap of the brushes. I enjoy listening to my machines wash clothes and dishes, as much for the swishing sound as getting the job done

.

Does this happen to anyone else, or is it just me?

1QuirkyKiwi · 01-15-2012, 05:34 PM

I’ve had this happen all my life….I happened to mention it to my Spinal Orthopaedic Surgeons and Neurologists and they said the same thing….that although it can happen to anyone, it’s common in people with Neurological conditions, such as myself.

Kätzchen · 01-15-2012, 06:21 PM

I have a very sensitive auditory/visual system and yes,
I do experience this from time to time - in some cases,
frequently.

01-15-2012, 02:21 PM	#1
Gráinne Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Neither, nada, out of the box Preferred Pronoun?: My name always works Relationship Status: Happy whatever happens Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,818 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,011 Thanked 7,245 Times in 1,415 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	You might have ASMR and not know it! All my life, I've had this "thing" that happens while watching certain things or from certain sounds or sensations. It's a tingling that starts at the base of my neck and radiates down my spine and up into my scalp. It does feel sort of like getting "turned on", but it's not exactly sexual. The strangest things can set it off, many not even sexual. I was reading another forum and found it has a name: Autonomous Sensory Median Response. The definition listed on asmr-research.org describes it as this: "...a physical sensation characterized by a pleasurable tingling that typically begins in the head and scalp, and often moves down the spine and through the limbs." It also lists some common external triggers: •Exposure to slow, accented, or unique speech patterns •Viewing educational or instructive videos or lectures •Experiencing a high empathetic or sympathetic reaction to an event •Enjoying a piece of art or music •Watching another person complete a task, often in a diligent, attentive manner - examples would be filling out a form, writing a check, going through a purse or bag, inspecting an item closely, etc. •Close, personal attention from another person •Haircuts, or other touch from another on head or back It's related to, but not quite the same, as the chills you get from a piece of music. I do know, however, that I have responses to much of the music in the "Listening" thread, which may explain its popularity . I've found that YouTube and Reddit have entire groups of ASMR videos, such as women brushing their long hair and putting it up, fiddling with marbles, or filling out forms. Double whammy if the woman (it's almost always a woman) has an accent. Maybe this explains why accents can be so sexy? I love getting my hair cut, less about the cut than the wash and scalp massage! Oh yummy. I even love washing my car or driving through the slap-slap of the brushes. I enjoy listening to my machines wash clothes and dishes, as much for the swishing sound as getting the job done . Does this happen to anyone else, or is it just me? __________________ The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one. ~Erma Bombeck

01-15-2012, 05:34 PM	#2
1QuirkyKiwi Senior Member How Do You Identify?: BBW. Unique femininity that does not encompass the western paradigm. Preferred Pronoun?: Anything Respectful! Relationship Status: Single, Happy, not Desparate or Looking, but Open to Possibilities... Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Europe and Aotearoa on a 5:2 ratio. Posts: 2,308 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,003 Thanked 6,035 Times in 1,617 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	I’ve had this happen all my life….I happened to mention it to my Spinal Orthopaedic Surgeons and Neurologists and they said the same thing….that although it can happen to anyone, it’s common in people with Neurological conditions, such as myself. __________________ What will make the difference to me is your strength of character and what's in your heart...

01-15-2012, 06:21 PM	#3
Kätzchen Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: He’s my boo bear. Join Date: May 2010 Location: In our own world here at home. Posts: 15,117 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 35,902 Thanked 32,056 Times in 9,969 Posts Rep Power: 21474866	Yes! I have a very sensitive auditory/visual system and yes, I do experience this from time to time - in some cases, frequently. __________________ Kätzchen ______ ______