"ASMR": how sounds boost our well-being

Created By RISC | 3 years ago

Last modified date : 2 years ago

Many people currently feel stressed by their surroundings and the COVID-19 outbreak. Some may struggle to relax and sleep.​

Sound can be an accessible solution. Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is the nervous system's automatic relaxing response to noise, touch, and sight. Popular natural sounds include rain, wind, or waves. These sounds are associated with brain wave frequencies ranging from delta waves to alpha waves, making us feel calmer.

Listening to ASMR for 3 hours reduced negative feelings and depression for 80% of respondents in a survey in 2015 by the faculty of psychology at Swansea University. Thirty-eight percent reported chronic pain reduction.​

The faculty of psychology of University of Sheffield conducted a study in 2018 in which volunteers were divided into two groups. Those who watched ASMR clips had a heart rate reduction of about 3.14 bpm and felt calmer and more relaxed.

Many ASMR videos use natural sounds such as white noise to boost memory and enhance sleep. There are many kinds of AMSR video to help us fall asleep.​

Sounds can enhance brain functions and mental health. But the volume needs to be considered. If the noise is too loud, it can become disturbing, making it harder to concentrate and sleep, producing more stress hormones or cortisol.

Reference: PeerJ.com, Plos.org, Behavioral and Brain Functions, PubMed.gov, Sleep Foundation​

Story by: Chirapa Horbanluekit, Communication Researcher, RISC