Functional connectivity looks at interactions among different regions of the brain. Functional MRI (fMRI) can measure this. Each type of ASMR trigger relates to different functional connectivity patterns in the brain. 

New Mexico Highlands University

ASMR is a warm, enjoyable tingling feeling some get in parts of the body, such as the scalp, neck, and shoulders from watching online videos with certain audio, visual, and tactile stimuli. Intensity of responses to stimuli varies by individual and there’s significant variance in types of triggers individuals prefer.

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR)

Smith, S. D., Fredborg, B. K., & Kornelsen, J. (2020). Functional connectivity associated with five different categories of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) triggers. Consciousness and Cognition: An International Journal, 85. https://doi-org.proxy.wichita.edu/10.1016/j.concog.2020.103021

Functional connectivity associated with five different categories of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) triggers

People choose to watch them to reduce stress, and address insomnia, which are symptoms of anxiety.

Why People Watch ASMR Videos

ASMR videos significantly reduces state anxiety for those who experience ASMR, but has no effect on trait anxiety for those who don’t experience ASMR.

ASMR Effectiveness

ASMR and Functional Connectivity 

Dorsal attention network connects to the top-down adapting of attention to visual stimuli. Being affected by two types of ASMR triggers positively relates to the dorsal attention network, indicating ASMR may relate to irregular attention processing.

ASMR and Dorsal Attention Network

There’s convergence between ASMR, transliminality, body consciousness, and unusual experiences, and divergence between ASMR and mindfulness.

ASMR and Consciousness Correlates

This includes:
-	Watching 
-	Touching
-	Gentle repetitive sounds
-	Simulations
-	Soft oral sounds 

ASMR Triggers

Ways to measure ASMR include:

- Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response Scale [ASMR-15]

Measuring ASMR

ASMR is related to increased sensory processing sensitivity (SPS).  Those with SPS are more sensitive to subtle stimuli and easily overstimulated by external stimuli.

ASMR and Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS)

ASMR first emerged as an internet phenomenon in 2010, and has been growing.

History of ASMR

ASMR and Mindfulness

Both operate under similar physiological mechanisms and both can be induced by mindfulness.

ASMR and Frisson

There are anatomical and functional connections between auditory and somatosensory processing. For instance, hearing a rubbing sound and feeling sandpaper with the fingers activates the same part of the cortical area in the caudal auditory region.

Auditory and Somatosensory Processing

People who experience ASMR tend to have more sensitivity to pain but no difference in pain tolerance than the control group.

ASMR and Pain Tolerance

All participants, even those who don’t feel the effects of ASMR, experienced decreased heart rate (HR) when watching ASMR videos.

ASMR and Heart Rate 

Electrodermal Activity (EDA) refers to involuntary changes in the electrical features of the skin. For those who experience ASMR and are low in conscientiousness, EDA increased more than those who don’t experience ASMR.

ASMR and Electrodermal Activity 

Electroencephalography (EEG)’s measure electrical impulses in the brain. For ASMR experiencers and non-experiencers, watching ASMR decreased theta power, and increased beta power.

ASMR and Electroencephalography 

People who experience ASMR had significantly higher levels of openness-to- experience, and neuroticism, and significantly lower levels of conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness.

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