(asmr) Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response Relaxation

Interesting, Melissa. I sleep with a small fan running every night. My husband is pretty hard of hearing and he stays up later, so I need the "white noise" so I can't hear the tv in the living room.

I also have several Tibetan singing bowls sound tracks bookmarked on You Tube. They are also pretty relaxing.

I found that first one you have listed as quite interesting - that is the shuffling of the paper.

I'm running this one in the background while I'm here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42S9JFpASs0

Love the deep meditation music. I find it to trigger my creativity.

Yes, it helps with stress and tension, which in my case, inhibits creativity (and everything else, actually).

I've recently stopped watching television for the most part as well. I'm sleeping better because of it.

When I can't sleep, I tune in to the soft sound of water from the aquarium filter that is in the hallway far from my room. I don't fill the tank all the way, and then am able to barely hear the water softly splash/gurgle as it comes from the filter back into the tank. It is very relaxing and helps turn off my thoughts and I can fall asleep quicker.

Mary, I too have stopped watching tv, and checking out news websites. Sometimes I have to stay away from the faa forum (lol) to become more relaxed and use my time more creatively.

Edit: I would not be able to relax, concentrate, nor be creative with the noise of shuffling papers, wrapping paper or someone rummaging through a make up bag...that to me is just noise.

Those 3 sounds really bother me. Plus I hear them in real life too often, I guess.

My daughter and granddaughter probably would love them.

When I'm working on art on a computer, the whirring noise even bothers me. I like total silence.

I concur with Chuck, and find the 3 sounds posted in the links agitating. I also like it quiet when I'm on the computer, and hate any noise that interrupts me while watching tv. We do use a humidifier at night, and I find the background white noise from it acceptable for sleeping.

It's funny - what is a relaxing noise to one person is completely annoying to another person.

I found another singing bowl audio on Youtube that runs 3 hours. The background noise is crickets and some running water, like a brook or a stream. I find it very relaxing but some of the comments were "it sounds like something's leaking - get rid of the water sound".

I have an app on my iPad called Ambiance. It can be loaded with all kinds of sounds like trains in the distance, thunderstorms, a busy bus/train station, street noises, et cetera. My favorite is a summer rainstorm on leaves (no thunder). Whenever I'm on an airplane and want to sleep, I put on my headphones and start that playing. Between the noise canceling properties of the headphones and the light sound covering all the other sounds going on around me, I sleep like a baby. It is really wonderful to have the sound to focus on to help you get your thoughts to coalesce and stop running all over the place, but I think everybody's idea of a nice sound versus an irritating sound is wildly different. Some of the sounds available on Ambiance would drive me insane if I tried to listen to them for anything more than 10 seconds!

ASMR is more of a pseudo-scientific reference to an intimate - no, not sexual - experience we've all had and that some of us have shared, but haven't had any way to express it. The link below will take you to a YouTube trailer for the documentary, Braingasm - no, it's not sexual - in which you'll learn more about this phenomenon and see some of the best ASMR artists...one of whom calls herself 'Maria GentleWhispering,' and I think she's one of the best at making videos that help you to experience ASMR by creating an ideal setting - both visual and auditory - that works as a 'trigger' for ASMR.

I find ASMR works well for me when I need to quiet that noisy 'inner voice' so that I can better create art; perhaps you will find it helpful, too.

BRAINGASM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viMRtB2OsQ4&index=5&list=FLsZc1QIfSYAHugYJ8K10TeQ

And here's a link to one of Maria GentleWhisperings videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X14JyJFzAis&list=TLiC082mRuWYFU2FoQCAxlgtlfHDK_BTre

Thank you Patrick for that link. I cant stand whispering it makes me want to leave the room. However, some noises put in me into a euphoric state that makes me feel almost high for a lack of a better word. I thank those whom have the courage to explore this phenomenon. ASMR has a 'crazy' stigma to it but it is real and it has helped many to calm themselves and relax. ASMR helps me to focus and puts me into a state so that I can paint in peace without all the 'noise' in my head.

Right you are, Melissa! And to others, ASMR has been an aid in helping them to quell occasional fits of insomnia.

You wrote, "ASMR helps me to focus and puts me into a state so that I can paint in peace without all the 'noise' in my head," in which you used the word, 'focus,' and I agree; ASMR works well for me in that respect, and possibly does even more good...I think it actually enhances my creative ability!

I wonder whether ASMR might be useful in treating ADD & ADHD, I mean in lieu of drugging kids with substances that share a common chemical signature with heroin. Drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall stifle a child's creative powers, numbing their little brains as it takes away the impetus to do anything.

The best triggers for ASMR are the physical ones, like when a stylist cuts your hair...or when you're being fitted for a suit or new shoes, or even when you have your shoes shined!

I'm wondering, Melissa...are you and I the only ones on FAA Discussions that have actually felt the benefits of ASMR experiences, or do the rest of us here simply think we're 'crazy?'

I have lived with this "condition" my entire life but never heard it described in these terms.. I've simply thought of it as the joy of sound/music. never thought much about the (pseudo)science behind it.

The squeaking and squelching of a baby getting to the end of its bottle of milk is a nice sound!

The sound of ice and glass makes me want a drink..

The sound of someone exhaling loudly makes me want to smoke..

All three of these are subconscious simulations/recreations of being on the nipple! It doesn't really get more intimate than that!

Barry. It's all about the tingles. Just the tingles, Barry.

If you haven't felt the 'tingles' surging beneath the hair on your head and running up and down your spine, you haven't yet had the ASMR experience.

I strongly recommend that you try to experience the ASMR tingles first, then tell us what you think.

"Sounds that trigger relaxation that can be felt as a pleasant tingling sensation on the scalp, neck or shoulder area. Some of you won't get this but some will."

As soon as I read this, I knew exactly what you were talking about. Certain sounds--and for me, certain voices--cause a distinctive tingling sensation on my scalp, neck, and shoulders. It's very, very close to the sensation I get when someone gently massages my back or shoulders, or brushes my hair.

What astonishes me is that there is a name for this, and that apparently not everyone feels it?? I really thought it was just something that happened to everyone.

I can't listen to the links at the moment so I'm unable as yet to know whether they trigger that "feeling", but I plan to check them out tonight!

Patrick I think that is a wonderful idea. To whomever it will help I say what do hey have to lose. I just recently soothed a panic attack from these noises https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzbxeiNeU2E. Rummaging through things seems to work the best on me. Or I ask my mom to brush my hair. I think it would be such a therapeutic way to sooth ones nerves without the use of medication. It helps insomniacs to quiet themselves so they can sleep. I wish more research can be done on it.

@ Delilah if you like voices here is one you may like. She whisperers while she is doodle drawing. I'm not sure why the link isnt working but just copy and paste and it should bring it right up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTvw_LGBtlM.