Has ASMR helped you somehow? Share your experience at the Voices of ASMR project and it will automatically be included below.
Do you know of a study or resource which highlights how ASMR has helped someone? Send the link to asmruniversity@gmail.com and I’ll add it below. Thank you, Dr Richard.
*COVID-19 Pandemic and ASMR*
- Social and mental health challenges during the pandemic (summary):
- quarantine, isolation, social distancing, job loss, financial strain, health concerns, more
- Reported detriments of the pandemic on mental health (published research):
- Reported increase in ASMR content consumption during the pandemic
- Reported benefits of ASMR during the pandemic on mental health (mostly personal accounts):
Biological changes
- Published Research
- 2018, Lochte et al: ASMR videos activate specific brain regions.
- 2018, Poerio et al: ASMR videos decrease heart rate and increase skin conductance (study 2).
- Other Research
- 2020, Trust Me I’m a Doctor (TV Show; Series 9, Episode 2): Experiment with a group of volunteers demonstrated lowered heart rates and increased skin arousal.
Relaxation
- Published Research
- 2018, Poerio et al: ASMR videos increase calmness (study 1 & 2)
- 2017, Janik McErlean et al: 86% of participants watched ASMR videos to relax.
- 2015, Barratt et al: 98% of participants watch ASMR videos to relax.
- Other Research
- Ongoing: Majority of participants report that ASMR helps them to feel more relaxed.
- Testimonials and Support
Stress and Anxiety
- Published Research
- 2018, Poerio et al: ASMR videos decreased stress (study 1)
- 2017, Janik McErlean et al: 11% of all participants stated that they watch ASMR videos to reduce their anxiety.
- 2015, Barratt et al: 70% of participants watch ASMR videos “to deal with stress.”
- Other Research
- Ongoing: Majority of participants report that ASMR helps them to feel less stressed and about half of those diagnosed with anxiety or panic disorders reported that ASMR helps them with their condition.
- Testimonials and Support
Sleeplessness and Insomnia
- Published Research
- 2017, Janik McErlean et al: 41% of the participants indicated that they watch ASMR videos to help them fall asleep.
- 2015, Barratt et al: 82% of participants watch ASMR videos to help them sleep.
- Other Research
- Ongoing: Majority of participants report that ASMR helps them to fall asleep and about half of those diagnosed with insomnia reported that ASMR helps them with their condition.
- Testimonials and Support
Sadness and Depression
- Published Research
- 2018, Poerio et al: ASMR videos decrease sadness (study 1)
- 2015, Barratt et al: 80% of participants report effect on mood which is positive on average and those at high risk for depression report that ASMR improves their mood.
- Other Research
- Ongoing: About half of participants who often feel sad report ASMR helps them feel less sad and about one-third of those diagnosed with depression report ASMR is helpful to their condition.
- Testimonials and Support
Focusing, Studying, Learning, Working, and ADD/ADHD
- Published Research
- TBD
- Other Research
- Panasonic Study: 7% of 2000 employed UK adults listen to ASMR content while working (March 2020 survey).
- Ongoing: About one-fifth of those with ADD or ADHD reported that ASMR helps them to focus.
- Testimonials and Support
- Potential mechanism
- Sleep deprivation worsens ADHD and cognitive functions: research study
- So ASMR may improve sleep, which then improves ADHD and other cognitive functions.
Pain, Chronic pain, Fibromyalgia
- Published Research
- 2015, Barratt et al: 42% of participants with chronic pain believed that watching ASMR videos had an effect on their symptoms.
- Other Research
- TBD
- Testimonials and Support
Other conditions
- Addiction recovery: Percocent/Heroin testimonials, Alcohol testimonial, Alcohol testimonial, Opioid/Alcohol testimonial, Oxycodone testimonial
- Autism: Voices of ASMR, Testimonial Article, Review Article
- Mania: Article
- Microencephaly: Article
- Misophonia: Suggested technique (pg 28)
- Narcissistic abuse: Testimonial
- Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD): Project
- Sexual assault: Article
- Special needs children: Article
- Trypophobia: Article
Other benefits
- Promoting Social Awareness/Change: Article
- Relaxing children: Article
- Athletes & physical performance: Article, Article, Video
- Rejuvenating after giving a big performance: Article
- Tilting prevention: Post
- Relaxation prior to arousal: Product
- Relaxation before horse riding: Article
- Anxiety reduction to fireworks for dogs: Instagram post
Support & Mentions
- Health Insurance Agencies
- Major Organizations
- TV Health Programs
- Unwind with iTV (mental health special)
- The Doctors (daytime talk show) [1], [2]
- Dr Drew (talk show) [@39m20s – listens to ASMR whispering to fall asleep]
- Other
