ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response and is a tickling sensation that starts on the head and moves down the neck and spine. The sensation is triggered by rustling, whispering and snapping sounds, and videos of people creating these sounds have become something of a phenomenon.
– One may wonder why the brain rewards things that signal closeness with strong pleasurable experiences. A possible explanation is that humans are herd animals that needed the group to survive, says Anders Hansen.
Not everyone experiences ASMR
There are limited studies on the phenomenon, so Anders Hansen points out that we should be careful about drawing conclusions. But after looking at the available studies, he estimates that 20-25 percent of all people experience a strong positive feeling from this type of sound. It also seems that the ability coincides with the personality trait of openness, i.e. the willingness to take in new things, ideas and environments.
Increased activity in the reward center
The phenomenon of ASMR differs from sexual arousal because the heart rate does not increase. It is also not the same as relaxation because the body also reacts with sweating. In the brain, increased activity is seen in the part of the frontal lobes that sits between the eyes, which is the part that focuses on oneself. The substances dopamine and oxytocin also rise.
Researchers have previously pointed out in the media that these physical phenomena can occur due to a perceived psychological pleasure. Much like the body can react physically to placebo pills.
– Personally, I think that ASMR is something that people have had for all time, but that we only now put a name to. As a phenomenon, it is of course a neurological curiosity, but I still find it interesting, says Anders Hansen.
Dopamine researcher’s criticism: “Bizarre”
Anna Lembke is professor of psychiatry at Stanford University in the USA. She is critical of ASMR clips, and believes that it is proof of how detached from one’s own body man has become.
Javascript must be enabled to play video
See the factual series Your Brain on SVT Play. The next episode will be broadcast on SVT1 at 20:00 on Tuesday 17/1.
