ASMR - the opposite of nails on a chalkboard

[Cavernio]

http://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/asmr-...ne-can-explain

This first notably happened to me in grade school. There was a substitute teacher who was a soft-spoken man with a gravelly voice who was speaking right into my ear when I asked for individual help with a math problem. I remember to this day how odd and super nice it was.

I'm still not entirely sure what triggers it for me, although I always must be doing nothing and be observing someone else who's doing something in a fairly relaxed way.

[Izzy]

I listen to ASMR almost every day before going to sleep. Kind of helped me with depression issues to a year ago when I was at school.

[Kekeb]

bjork_explains_television.mp4

[devonin]

If you have headphones so you can get left and right audio:

[Cavernio]

I don't get the sensation very often. It surprised me to find out that it was a labelled, known, common phenomenon.

[Izzy]

Happens to me all the time at work. I just close my eyes and all I can here is some occasional mouse clicks, the faint sound of moving air from the vents, typing and the occasional mumble in the background.

The workplace is so relaxing that I find it difficult to not fall asleep. We also keep most of the lights off for whatever reason. All the developers prefer it to be darker with only the sunlight.

[ddr_f4n]

Yo. ASMR listener here. Gives me the chills all the time as well as it helps me sleep if I have any trouble doing so :V

Seriously, it's really relaxing.

[shenjoku]

I have no words for how creepy some of these videos are XD Sadly I don't get it Sounds nice though from that article.

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by shenjoku

I have no words for how creepy some of these videos are XD Sadly I don't get it Sounds nice though from that article.

It could be something like listening to the ocean or a forest. Anything that gives you relaxing vibes. Doesn't have to involve people at all.

Might be similar to the idea of white noise.

[Cavernio]

Oh it always involves people when I get it.

I would describe it, physically, similar to getting goosebumps from a light touch or a song you really like. It's the same sort of tingling that moves. BUT the relaxation, kinda mesmerizing state is the difference.

It is quite nice. I experience varying degrees of it, it's not always notable. Like, those videos barely do it for me.

[choof]

Originally Posted by Kekeb

bjork_explains_television.mp4

goddamnit lmao

[Bluearrowll]

There's a huge ASMR community out there on youtube, but it extends beyond that. Today, there's an ASMR based video for just about everything. You can even find an ASMR radio on http://www.asmr.fm/

ASMR does not have to be just whispers, soft spoken roleplays, or anything with the voice. It can be triggered every day sounds as well. I recommend the soundsculptures channel for excellent (and mostly binaural for headphone users) sound videos, but there are really endless different varieties. I am an almost daily ASMR listener before bed time, because I find I fall asleep much faster listening to such videos. I've probably been doing this for about two years now? Feel free to post on my wall or pm if you wish for what you think triggers you and I'll find you channels / videos that may be a good start for your ASMR journey. Personally, I enjoy foreign languages, rubiks cube sounds, haircut sounds (particularly spray bottle & scissor snips), and more.

ASMR Videos are one recommendation I like to give to people who have trouble sleeping. It has its benefits.

[Garquillex]

I tried really hard for days to experience anything beyond an intermittent relaxation, but nothing came to me

[Trogdor!!!!]

[Coolboyrulez0]

^ classic

ASMR creeps me out to no end though.

[Izzy]

I can't understand how passive sounds creep you out. Or are you just creeped out by the tingly feeling?

[omega_grunt666]

Theres a subreddit (/r/asmr) that has a bunch of common triggers (usually talking, or instructional videos).

This one did it for me:

[Coolboyrulez0]

Originally Posted by Izzy

I can't understand how passive sounds creep you out. Or are you just creeped out by the tingly feeling?

I don't get any tingly feeling because it doesn't affect me. The videos of people "soothingly" talking into a mic are just weird and awkward.
Passive, ambient sounds are nice though but I can just listen to ambient music then instead of purely ambient sounds.

[Izzy]

Things are only as awkward as you want to perceive them to be. If you don't want it to be awkward then just assume it isn't.

I'm pretty sure listening to music can potentially trigger the same effect. I remember the very last song in cowboy bebop after spike died gave me tingly feelings. So I assume if some song triggers some kind of emotional response in a state of relaxation you'd probably get the same asmr feeling. Repeated exposure probably desensitizes you from it though.

[Wafles]

The weird whispering stuff comes across as creepy to me too.
I've literally never experienced this ASMR sensation that people seem to like. I've tried it (with good headphones/speakers too), but it just doesn't happen for me.