My ASMR Journey: 7 Years In, But Have We Gone Too Far?
Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by! I've been thinking about writing a review about ASMR content for a while now, but I was always torn on who to feature. I've got a few ASMR creators that I love, and I didn't want to write a review about each one separately. I guess if I hadn't stumbled upon this thread where you can cram everything into one review, I probably wouldn't have ended up writing about my ASMR obsession in the first place.
How and why I got hooked on ASMR. Short version: my ASMR obsession started back in 2015 when I was dealing with some serious sleep problems due to anxiety, panic attacks, and stress. Thankfully, all that's behind me now, but ASMR has become such a big part of my life that I often find myself unable to resist watching/listening to these videos.
A little background on what ASMR is. So, what is ASMR? Autonomous sensory meridian response – it's a psychological and physical sensation that includes feelings of calmness, happiness, and drowsiness, as well as a tingling sensation on your scalp, the back of your neck, and along your spine.
According to Know Your Meme, the first mention of the term 'ASMR' was recorded on February 25, 2010, in the name of a Facebook group (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response Group) created by Jennifer Allen, aka Envelope Nomia.
Where did ASMR come from? I've got to say, ASMR seems to genuinely lift my mood and make me feel more relaxed, especially when I'm dealing with depression.
The science behind ASMR. Now, I'm not gonna lie, the scientific research on ASMR isn't exactly extensive. But there is one study that caught my eye - it used MRI to scan people's brains while they watched ASMR videos. And what they found was pretty interesting: ASMR might be linked to 'affiliative behavior', which releases the feel-good hormone oxytocin.
Is ASMR actually bad for you? There's no concrete evidence to suggest ASMR is actually bad for you. And that's because most of the triggers are just natural sounds - completely harmless to humans. That's why ASMR kind of feels like a soothing meditation to me.
Anyway, here are some of the ASMR creators I love watching. Gentle Whispering ASMR / Maria. I stumbled upon her channel back in 2015, and she's been my go-to ASMR content ever since. Her videos are super diverse, but Maria's main thing is role-playing. If you're into gentle voices, precise triggers, and a calming atmosphere, you'll love her stuff.
One thing that's held me back from fully diving into ASMR content is the language barrier. Most videos are in English, which isn't a huge issue for me - it's actually been a great way to improve my conversational skills in a foreign language.
Given my newfound love for ASMR, I've started exploring other creators and their content. I've watched a ton of different channels over the years, but my top picks right now are: WalChe ASMR. This girl is practically a local to me - she's from Mariupol in Ukraine, just like me. I love watching her content, and it's amazing to see how she's bounced back from moving to Germany. I'm not just a fan of her ASMR videos on YouTube; I'm also subscribed to her on other social media platforms. What I love about her is that she's more than just an ASMR creator to me.
Another creator I've been following is Coromo Sara. ASMR - they specialize in triggers and tapping sounds. The creator of this channel is actually a girl from Japan, but she keeps the focus solely on tapping and never on herself. If I want to feel that tingly sensation in the back of my head from triggers and tapping, I always come here. Coromo Sara's gestures give me that feeling instantly.
My go-to channel Mooney. This channel is pretty standard, to be honest - it's mostly about role-playing games. What I like about it is the quality of the video, the lack of cheesiness, and no over-the-top self-promotion.Out of all the guys I've come across in my ASMR journey, I've only really liked a few: ASMR Detected. And Atlas ASMR. These two ASMRtists have incredible voices - it's a pleasure to listen to them. Let's face it, voice is a crucial element in this genre, and unfortunately, not everyone has mastered it as well as they have.
Wrapping up my list. HeyHelen ASMR. I've always been a huge fan of HeyHelen ASMR's soft, gentle, and soothing content. Her videos are incredibly relaxing and always leave me feeling calm.
What are the most popular ASMR video types created by bloggers? From what I can remember since 2015, the main trends have been: tapping videos, doing makeup on friends, classmates, or sisters, vlogging about vaping or steam therapy, slime videos, soap cutting, mukbang, twins, and licking.
The cons of ASMR - cringe and sexualization. Honestly, if you're still new to ASMR, be prepared for a wild ride. I mean, you've got to be ready for just about anything. There are some videos that make me, and even the famous blogger Timur Doctorov, think 'has ASMR gone too far?' I've seen a ton of ridiculous content on YouTube that's basically just a concentration of cringeworthy moments. To be honest, it's not my cup of tea. But for some people, this kind of 'creativity' is their thing. They genuinely believe their outrageous behavior is a form of self-expression, and they stick to their 'gimmicks' like glue.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a prude, but some of this stuff can be genuinely disturbing. I just don't get the appeal of watching people chew gum or mess around with condoms. It's not my thing. And as for role-playing videos, the scripts are often just plain absurd.
It's clear from the screenshots that ASMR has become a genre that's been overly sexualized. Many bloggers, who were once just schoolgirls or sweet girls, are now trying to monetize themselves by creating content that's almost indistinguishable from adult sites.
I've noticed that creators often encourage viewers to upgrade to a paid subscription on these sites.
It's obvious that YouTube has become a stepping stone for some creators to launch their careers on OnlyFans or Patreon. I'm not here to judge, but I do think it's worth mentioning.
I also think it's worth noting how this genre of blogging is evolving.
ASMR 2023. At this point, ASMR is still thriving and regularly introducing us to new talents. It's amazing how many different age groups are eager to give it a try. Take kids, for instance. And then there are people in their middle age. Or even seniors.
So, as you can see, the genre is accessible to everyone. And I'm pretty sure each person will find something that resonates with them.
TALLY. Based on my own experience, I'd recommend ASMR as a relaxation technique – especially if you're comfortable with the whole whispering, tapping, and quiet voice thing.
Rating 5.