You have probably heard that experiencing ASMR is helpful for sleeplessness and insomnia, helpful for reducing stress and anxiety, and can reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

But how many published research studies support these claims?

Would you be surprised if I said there are over 100 published research studies about ASMR?  Perhaps so, and it isn’t your fault.

Many mainstream reports about ASMR have a statement similar to this, “Although ASMR is a global phenomenon, very little research has been done on this sensation.”

This statement is accurate, but it is also inaccurate.

Let me explain.

It is accurate if you interpret the statement to imply, “Very little research has been done on ASMR compared to the amount of research done on other health topics such as happiness, depression, love, migraines, diabetes, strength training, hypertension, memory, etc.”

Most common health topics have at least a thousand peer-reviewed research studies.  This is simply due to these topics being well-known for decades, centuries, or longer.

The global awareness of ASMR started in 2007, the term “ASMR” was coined in 2010, and the first peer-reviewed research study was published in 2015.

In short, ASMR is a new field of study, so it makes sense that it has not been as studied as many other health-related topics.

So let’s get to the critical question.

How many research studies have been done on ASMR?

The answer is somewhere between 100 and 2000.  Below is a full explanation with helpful links.

Continue reading →