Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response

Participate in a research study about ASMR content and wellbeing

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A collaborative group of academic researchers from several Australian universities is investigating the intersection of the ASMR phenomenon and health.

The team is currently recruiting participants for a research project that investigates how people engage with ASMR content.  This research project is overseen by A/Prof. George Van Doorn at Federation University Australia.

The team is seeking participants to complete the anonymous online survey, which has been reviewed and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Federation University Australia [HREC approval number: 2025/169].

The survey is open to individuals who are 18 years or older, who read and understand English, and who watch or listen to ASMR content. You don’t need to be sensitive to ASMR to take part.

The survey will take 30 minutes to complete. Your participation is entirely voluntary.

Scroll down (or click “Continue Reading”) to access the link to participate and contact information.

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Understanding ASMR and Emotional Regulation in Children

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ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is often discussed in the context of relaxation and sleep for adults, but there is growing interest in how sound and gentle sensory triggers may support emotional regulation for children as well.

I recently discussed this important topic with Nicola Maria-Rose, the founder of Hushaway®.

Below are the highlights and key takeaways from our conversation.

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[In Less than 24 Hours] Live Event on March 3, 2026: “What Happens in the Brain During ASMR?”

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On March 3, 2026, I will be having a live discussion on LinkedIn with Nicola Maria Rose (Nikki), the founder of Hushaway.

We will be chatting about the science, biology, and calming effects of ASMR.

In addition, we will discuss how carefully designed sound may support emotional regulation in children, particularly those with heightened sensory profiles.

Below is the Event Announcement, along with the event link on LinkedIn.

Continue reading →

Live Event on March 3, 2026: “What Happens in the Brain During ASMR?”

/ Dr. Richard / Leave a comment

On March 3, 2026, I will be having a live discussion on LinkedIn with Nicola Maria Rose (Nikki), the founder of Hushaway.

We will be chatting about the science, biology, and calming effects of ASMR.

In addition, we will discuss how carefully designed sound may support emotional regulation in children, particularly those with heightened sensory profiles.

Below is the Event Announcement, along with the event link on LinkedIn.

Continue reading →

Hushaway – a new platform helping neurodivergent children via ASMR triggers and other sounds

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HushAway is a gentle sound-based wellbeing platform that helps children, especially those who are neurodivergent, anxious, or emotionally overwhelmed, find peace, focus, and emotional safety.

The platform is using ASMR triggers, Solfeggio frequencies, binaural beats, & soothing narration to support emotional regulation for all children.

A little backstory from the founder, Nicola Maria Rose (Nikki),

“HushAway® began because I kept meeting overwhelmed parents and exhausted children with big feelings that had nowhere to land. I wanted to create a soft place, a ‘Sanctuary of Sound’, to help them feel a little safer in their bodies, drift into sleep more easily, and find their way back to themselves after a hard day.”

The concept and goals of the founder and this project were so compelling that I joined their team.

The founder has also announced the official launch of the platform today, along with great things on the horizon,

“The full HushAway® Sound Sanctuary, with 400+ stories, soundscapes and affirmations, is coming soon. If you’d like to be first to hear when it opens, there’s an invitation list on the site you can join. “

Click the link below to learn more about the Hushaway platform, soundscapes, team, and goals.

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Insights and Data from Studio ASMR, an in-person ASMR Spa in Poland

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In-person ASMR services and therapies are growing slowly.

Here is a list of in-person ASMR services around the world, and here are some insights from an ASMR therapist.

In this post, I’m happy to share some insights from Santina Zienkiewicz, the founder of the in-person ASMR spa, “Studio ASMR” in Trójmiasto, Poland.

She also shared some data she collected from her ASMR spa clients, which you will also find below.

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Participate in a research study about ASMR, Mindfulness, ADHD, & Autism.

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Megan Griffin and Alisha Swindley are undergraduate psychology students in their final year at the University of Lincoln, UK.

Their dissertation is investigating the impact of ASMR and Mindfulness audio-visual clips on reducing anxiety and stress in people who have ADHD, Autism and who are neurotypical, with a secondary focus on ASMR experiencers.

Their thesis is titled: “The Effectiveness of ASMR/Mindfulness on the Reduction on Stress and Anxiety in Participants with ADHD/ASD Compared to Participants without ADHD/ASD”

This study has been approved by the University of Lincoln’s School of Psychology Research Ethics Committee (Ethics approval code: 2025_19310).

The study will take no longer than 35 minutes, via QuestionPro online.

The study will include questions on ASD, ADHD, anxiety and stress. In addition, they will ask you to watch a 10-minute ASMR or Mindfulness video. All information gathered is anonymous.

If you have ADHD and/ or ASD, please consider taking part as they are particularly interested in this population.

A link to participate, along with more details, is below. Continue reading →

‘ASMR’ was the most searched term on YouTube in 2024

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According to the Dec 26, 2024 article titled, “The Top YouTube Searches in 2024“, ‘ASMR’ was the most searched term.

However, according to the Dec 17, 2024 article, “Most Searched Things on Google in 2024“, the term ‘ASMR’ didn’t even appear in the Top 100 most searched terms.

Did these two different lists use different methods?  I don’t think so because the lists were published by the same company. 

So why was ‘ASMR’ the #1 search term on YouTube, but the term ‘ASMR’ didn’t even make the top 100 search terms on Google?

The answer may be simple.

Continue reading →