Who is involved in this research project?
This is a collaborative research project involving:
- Karissa Burnett, team member of http://www.asmr-research.org, and graduate student at Fuller School of Psychology
- Jennifer Allen, founder of http://www.asmr-research.org, and individual who coined the term “Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response”
- Craig Richard, founder of http://www.asmruniversity.com, and professor at Shenandoah University School of Pharmacy
What is this research project about?
The research project is an online survey that when completed, may provide one of the first and largest global, demographic studies about ASMR published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The survey is for those who have experienced ASMR, who have stopped experiencing ASMR, who have never experienced ASMR, and who are unsure if they experience ASMR.
In other words, although this is a “survey about ASMR”, it is not just for those who experience ASMR.
This large variety of participants will allow us to find out which personality traits, medical conditions, gender, ages, and other variables are most associated with those who experience ASMR (by comparing the same variables to those who do not experience ASMR).
We also have specific questions for those who experience ASMR. This will help us know the most common age of first experience, most preferred way to experience ASMR, the most common sensations felt during ASMR, and much more.
The survey also asks about specific details that may help to explain why some individuals stop experiencing ASMR.
Current responses to the survey: 30,000+
Where is the link to the survey?
Click HERE to view or take the survey.
Here is the full URL if you want to copy it and share it with others: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ASMRsurvey
Where can I find out about updates about this project?
Updates will be posted below:
- 2014: August
- Initiation of project by Karissa Burnett, Jennifer Allen, and Craig Richard
- 2014: September
- Survey questions drafted and revised by project members
- Survey draft completed
- Survey draft pilot tested by university faculty, staff, and students
- Final survey form created with assistance from the feedback from pilot testing
- Survey submitted for review as an institutional research project involving human subjects
- 2014: October
- Survey approved by Shenandoah University’s Institutional Review Board
- Survey co-approved by Fuller School of Psychology’s Human Studies Review Committee
- 2014: November
- Survey transcribed into an electronic online survey format
- Electronic version of survey undergoing beta-testing
- Survey launched
- 2014: December
- Survey acquires 5,000 total responses in first month
- 2015: December
- Survey acquires 15,000 total responses in first year
- 2016: February
- Preliminary data presented at annual conference: Scholarship & Research Conference, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA, February 25, 2016.
- 2016: April
- Preliminary data presented at annual conference: Science of Consciousness Conference, The University of Arizona, Tucson, USA, April 25-30, 2016.
- 2017: February
- Preliminary data presented at annual conference: Scholarship & Research Conference, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA, February 23, 2017.
- 2017: April
- Preliminary data presented at annual conference: SUpr Research Summit, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA, April 20, 2017.
- 2018: July
- Preliminary data presented at international research retreat: Milken Institute, Viceroy Hotel, Chicago, IL, USA, July 24-25, 2018.
- 2019: May
- Preliminary data presented at Silver Spring Civic Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA, May 17, 2019.
- 2019: September
- Preliminary data presented at the annual conference: Virginia Association of School Psychologists, Richmond, VA, September 26, 2019.
- Current status:
- Data analysis is in progress but survey will remain open and active for continued data collection.
ASMR University 
Seriously interested in this. I’m an executive director of three family resource centers/recovery community organizations. Very interested in tools for those affected by problematic substance use, as trauma, adverse childhood experiences is super common in the population we support. Early childhood trauma affects the lack of certain neuro-chemicals associated with executive functioning, emotional regulation, etc and anxiety, depression and sleep issues are also wide spread. We offer ear acupuncture which seems to create similar results to what is described, but obviously is not a ‘take home’ tool. I’m also a National trainer for multiple peer recovery support curricula and like to share new info and tools. I’ve ‘discovered ASMR recently, listening to someone speaking in Korean and found it odd how it calmed my own (ADD) thoughts and did lend to assistance in getting to sleep where meditations have not. I find it interesting that I do not understand Korean at all, and wonder if the fact I can’t understand allows my brain not to latch on to thoughts.
Our agency plans on starting a podcast soon with a recent grant, and I’m thinking this could be an interesting topic or even ‘service’ we could do as a podcast add-on.
We’ve just walked through a service to science project so I get the value of data collection. I’ll be reading through the science of this next. Wondering if there is a better ‘one page’ info sheet that could be printed for the Peer Support Workers/Recovery Coaches we train , and if the data is up to date., if statistical significance has been achieved.
We are super careful around language and don’t share anything with the word ‘trigger’ or I’d share your website. Activate/activation is the word we use in its place, largely because of the power of language , impact and stigma for the demographics we generally are working to support.
If any helpful info could be shared, I’d appreciate it!
LikeLike
I’ve had ASMR since I was about seven，It started with a haircut, and the barber’s pusher triggered it as it passed through my scalp.
After that, I always enjoyed this kind of physiological experience. Not only the haircut, but also the physical contact of classmates and strangers (such as touching the skin without preparation, scratching my back with fingernails, massaging me) would trigger ASMR.
As I grow older, this ability seems to be under the control of my brain.At this moment, typing these words, I think back to those moments of being touched, and my body will produce ASMR. This is generated passively. At the same time, I can also generate actively. If I want to, but this kind of active ASMR effect is not as strong as that generated passively.I prefer to watch ASMR video to get this feeling. It’s like waves coming from the sea
I seldom tell such behavior to others, because I find that few people around me can feel it, let alone take the initiative. I learned about ASMR University from Zhihu (quora in China). I am eager to learn more about ASMR.
LikeLike
This is very cool. Kind of makes me feel special that I have had this my whole life.
LikeLike
I do find it very interesting. I remember as a young child watching the QVC channel to get the experience from watching them put on makeup. Everyone thought I was so weird. Then as an adult I had a job and this woman with another company would call and order supplies. Her voice would give me the experience so I would intentionally send her to voicemail so I can listen over and over again.
LikeLike