The ASMR Calm Effect: What? Why? How? – With a Playlist

Ever felt that wave of calm wash over you from soft sounds, certain music, or subtle movements? That might just be ASMR in action — the oddly satisfying sensation so many people are intrigued by nowadays.

It’s often described as pleasant tingles. Some say it starts on your scalp and spreads downward, others describe it as a relaxing wave. And some don’t know what the hell is going on — because they’ve never experienced it themselves. At least, not yet.

Well, today I’m gonna lay down all the info behind this phenomenon. And I’ve got some seriously awesome music examples coming that are known for those amazing ASMR tingles!

What Exactly is ASMR? The Tingles Explained

Let’s start with a simple definition. ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is basically a pleasant, relaxing sensation people experience in response to certain sights and sounds (visual and auditory stimuli). These can include a wide variety of triggers — like someone whispering softly, tapping lightly on something, or even just moving their hands slowly.

For a lot of people, when they see or hear these things, they get this tingly feeling. It often starts at the top of the head, like a little shiver that actually feels good. Then it might move down the back of the neck, and sometimes even further down the body. Personally, I’ve yet to feel this “down your body” effect — for me, it stops near my neck.

It’s not a crazy, over-the-top feeling – it’s more like a gentle static, but in a really pleasant way. Or a quiet, peaceful calm. It’s hard to describe because everyone experiences it a little differently. For some, it’s a full-body chill of relaxation. For others, it’s way more subtle — just a light, warm, soothing sensation. One thing that’s commonly observed, though, is that it usually makes you feel relaxed and a little sleepy.

The Science Behind ASMR: Why It’s So Relaxing

Okay, so why does this whole ASMR thing make you feel so chill? Scientists are still figuring out all the details, but here’s the main idea: when you experience ASMR triggers, it seems to fire up certain parts of your brain linked to feeling good and staying calm.

Think of it like a gentle hug for your brain. Studies have shown that your heart rate can actually slow down — kind of like when you’re properly relaxed.

There’s also a good chance that some happy chemicals are being released in your brain, like dopamine (the pleasure dude) and oxytocin (the “feel-good” bond chemical). The ASMR effect might even quiet down the parts of your brain that are stressed out.

In simple words — ASMR taps into your brain’s natural relaxation responses, making you feel good both in your body and in your mind. It’s like a switch that flips you into a calmer state. And boy, do we need as much calming down as possible in our lives.

This is one of the reasons so many people are interested in this topic. Just go to Twitch and search for ASMR streams — trust me, you’ll find plenty. Though from my experience, many of those aren’t really legit. It seems like some people don’t quite understand how it works.

The Triggers That Spark the Sensation

Your next question is probably going to be: What are these magical things called “triggers”? I mean, if I were just discovering the ASMR effect, I’d want to know how to flip that calm switch too 🙂 Well, the good thing is, there are multiple reported and observed triggers. The bad thing is, they’re also super personal — what gets one person tingling and relaxed might do nothing for another. I’ll cover the most common ones.

Sound Triggers

The first widely known trigger is sound. Think about soft sounds, like whispering, gentle tapping, or someone lightly drumming their fingers on a table. It can also be crinkling noises – like paper or plastic. Even the slow turning of book pages can do it.

Here are two videos that both feature good examples of various trigger sounds:

Another big auditory trigger is music. Not your regular pop song, but music that incorporates various sound effects (both natural and human-made), as well as gentle, repetitive rhythms or melodies with consistent patterns. Or atmospheric, ambient textures. Maybe it’s because I love music so much, but for me, it’s the biggest trigger of them all.

I’ve added a special ASMR playlist down below, but I also highly recommend this one – Music For Your Soul: When You Really Need to Unwind.

Visual Triggers

Visual triggers, just like sound, can vary. It might be watching someone perform a slow, focused task, like painting, sewing, or carefully folding laundry. Gentle hand movements. Even close-up attention to detail can trigger it for some.

Tactile Sensory Stimulation

There’s also tactile sensory stimulation. The origins of the ASMR experience are linked to real-life, gentle personal attention – like a parent stroking a child’s hair or a comforting touch. So direct physical sensation that a person associates with care and comfort can definitely be a trigger for ASMR. For many people, it’s a very potent one.

The Potential Benefits of ASMR

But besides the fact that it feels nice, there are some pretty substantial benefits people who experience ASMR often use it for. It’s not rocket science, I bet you’ve already figured out what personal perks I’m alluding to:

• Stress and anxiety relief. This one’s kinda self-explanatory — a calming feeling can really help take the edge off when you’re feeling worried or stressed.
• Better sleep quality. A lot of people use ASMR to help them sleep better. It’s simply easier to drift off when you’re in a relaxed state.
• Mood improvement. This perk is also pretty obvious. A pleasant tingling and sense of calm can just make you feel a bit brighter.
• Ease mild pain or discomfort. Yep, some people who experience ASMR strongly use it for the overall soothing effect it can have on the body.

While I wouldn’t call ASMR an ultimate cure-’em-all magic solution, it can definitely be a handy extra tool in your relaxation arsenal for a bunch of different things.

Finding What Works for You

Okay, now that you’ve heard about all those awesome things ASMR can help you with, you naturally want to know — how do you get started with ASMR?

The trick is to find what works for you. You’ll need to experiment, try different things, and see what actually has an effect on your body and mind. Here’s a super simple way to get started:

1. Start watching and listening. The easiest thing to do is go to platforms like YouTube or Twitch. There are tons of creators and streamers out there making all sorts of ASMR videos.
2. Try different triggers. Remember those sounds and sights I mentioned? Start experimenting. Maybe try a whispering video, then one with tapping sounds. See how you feel with visual triggers like gentle hand movements. Don’t be afraid to click around and sample different things.
3. Pay attention to your body. Notice what makes you feel those tingles or that sense of calm. It might be immediate, or it might take a few tries.
4. Play with volume. How loud or quiet the sound is matters. Keep your volume at a comfortable, low level at the beginning. It might help you really focus and experience those triggers.
5. Give it time. You might not feel anything right away, and that’s totally normal. Some people need a few sessions before they start experiencing ASMR. Just relax and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
6. Explore different creators. Each ASMR artist has their own style. You might vibe with someone who does really detailed close-up work, or maybe you prefer someone with a soft, soothing voice.

Just remember – there’s no right or wrong way. ASMR is a personal experience, so the goal is to find your own ASMR sweet spot. One thing I do want to highlight is the importance of good headphones, or a sound system. Use the best setup you can get your hand on, and start exploring!

Best ASMR Music Examples

“Music for ASMR?” — Yes, indeed! It’s actually a common misconception that ASMR is only about whispers and taps. I’ve already talked about visual triggers and tactile sensory stimulation, but now I’d like to focus on music.

There’s a whole world of music out there that can totally tap you into those ASMR feelings. Usually, the sounds that are ASMR-effective are:

• Soft and Gentle: Volume is important here. Too loud and harsh can ruin the ASMR vibe.
• Repetitive and Rhythmic: Simple and consistent patterns can be quite soothing.
• Textural and Atmospheric: Music that creates a sense of space and gentle soundscapes.
• Minimalist: It’s Okay if music has various layers, but it shouldn’t be too complex.

And if we are talking about genres and specific elements that can often trigger ASMR, I recommend checking these:

• Ambient music with dreamy, atmospheric soundscapes and soft, evolving textures.
• Classical guitar. The delicate plucking of strings, especially when played softly and with focus on the individual notes and the resonance of the instrument.
• Lo-fi Hip Hop / Chillhop. These popular genres often feature mellow beats, soft instrumental melodies, and sometimes subtle vinyl crackle or rain sounds layered in, creating a cozy and repetitive soundscapes.
• Nature Sounds (with a musical touch). While not strictly “music,” recordings of gentle rain, soft waves, or a crackling fireplace, can be very relaxing and cause ASMR.
• Binaural Beats or Isochronic Tones. These are specific audio techniques designed to influence brainwave frequencies and promote relaxation. When combined with gentle musical elements, they can enhance the ASMR effect.

You want artists or songs that create a feeling of calm and peace, make you focus. It’s not about catchy melody – it’s about the overall sonic texture and the way it makes you feel good.

Here I’ve created a special playlist of songs of various styles and genres, that can help you experience the ASMR for yourself. You might get surprised by some of these bands! I have included tracks from icons like Pink Floyd and The Doors, but I also selected songs from relatively unknown bands like Bohren & der Club of Gore.

Enjoy my TOP 10 ASMR Song List:

Hit the ‘Play’ button and the whole list will play out automatically:

Listen to the same set on Spotify:

The Future of ASMR: New Research

It’s worth saying that ASMR phenomenon is being studied and our understand of it still evolves. Scientists are digging deeper into what’s really going on, which is great. If you’re interested in the latest developments, here’s what these researches are focusing on:

• Brain Activity: Using brain scans like fMRI, researchers are trying to pinpoint exactly which parts of the brain light up when people experience ASMR. For example, a 2023 study (Lochte et al.) found activity in brain regions linked to reward, social behavior, and empathy.
• Physiological Responses: Studies continue to look at how ASMR affects the body, like heart rate and skin conductance. Some research even suggests it might dilate your pupils (Valtakari et al., 2019).
• Individual Differences: Scientists are exploring why some people experience ASMR and others don’t. Personality traits like neuroticism and anxiety seem to be linked (Eid et al., 2022).
• Therapeutic Potential: There’s increasing interest in whether ASMR can be used to help with things like anxiety, sleep problems, and even chronic pain (Morales et al., 2021). Some studies are even looking at its potential for improving focus and mindfulness.
• Understanding Triggers: Researchers are trying to get a better handle on what makes certain sounds and visuals so effective for different people (Hostler et al., 2024 – view the PFD version online).

Conclusion

ASMR is a relatively new field that’s still developing. We’re getting new research and data every year. More and more creatives are starting to work on ASMR content. So it’s definitely something you should look into and see if those triggers have a strong effect on you.

I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? You try it out, and if you realize you’re not getting the tingles, the relaxation, or the calmness — well, you’ve lost nothing. At the very least you’ve broadened your horizons.

But if you do discover that ASMR works for you, you’ll have one more tool to help your mind and body. An additional way to boost your overall well-being. It’s a win-win situation.