Hey little mama, let me whisper in your ear...

This week, Sarah and Crystal descend into the strange, whisper-filled world of ASMR. Why do some people drift off to sleep listening to tapping, page turning, and soft voices, while others feel irrational rage, discomfort, or the overwhelming urge to throw their headphones into the nearest wall?

We explore the history of ASMR, what researchers think is happening in the brain, the connection to relaxation and sleep, and why certain sounds and visuals can trigger fear, disgust, sensory overload, or even phobias. From misophonia and medical fears to trypophobia, personal space, awkward roleplays, and the psychology of why one person's comfort is another person's nightmare, we're pulling back the curtain on one of the internet's most misunderstood phenomena.

Listener Warning: This episode contains discussions of phobias, needles, medical procedures, trypophobia, sensory triggers, misophonia, anxiety, and other topics that may be uncomfortable for some listeners. No triggering sounds are played, but they are discussed throughout the episode.

Want to learn more?

• ASMR Research Review: National Library of Medicine ASMR Study
• ASMR and Mood/Relaxation Research: More Than a Feeling: ASMR Research
• Understanding Phobias: NHS Phobias Guide
• Phobia Self-Help Information: NHS Inform Phobia Guide

Because sometimes a whisper feels like a lullaby... and sometimes it feels like a threat. 🎪🖤

Transcript

Crystal 0:00

Welcome back to the dollhouse.

Sarah 0:01

I'm Crystal and I'm Sarah and we are the Marionette dolls.

SPEAKER_00 0:20

Make angels feel like a little teacher. I didn't believe it. Uploading it like a little plan.

Sarah 0:32

Thank you guys for coming back and listening. We do want to preface this with a warning that we will be talking about certain phobias that have to do with holes and other disturbing content that others people might not feel comfortable with. So I do want to give that warning right now. If you are not comfortable with that type of talk or even hearing some of these words that have to do with ASMR and different visual triggers, then I would not listen to this episode. It is okay to not listen. And go to the next one. Exactly. Or if you want, check out our subscription content.

Crystal 1:11

This is not exposure therapy.

Sarah 1:13

It is not exposure therapy. We do not want to force you into an uncomfortable position, but if you're interested about ASMR, what it is and what's going on, then let's here we are. Before we start, I should probably explain that Crystal and I are coming into this topic from two very different places. I understand why people enjoy ASMR. There are certain sounds and situations that I find calming, and I understand the appeal of putting on a video when your brain will not slow down. Crystal does not feel the same way.

Crystal 1:40

That is a polite way to say it. I do not understand why anyone would want to listen to a stranger whispering into a microphone while scratching a piece of plastic and the chewing videos? No. I do not need to hear what is happening inside someone else's mouth.

Sarah 1:56

And that reaction is actually one of the reasons I wanted to talk about this. ASMR is often described as relaxing, but it's not relaxing for everyone. For some people, it feels peaceful. For others, it feels irritating, uncomfortable, creepy, or even disgusting.

Crystal 2:11

And I want to place myself somewhere between irritated and deeply suspicious.

Sarah 2:16

Which is fair. I'm not going to try to convince you to like ASMR.

Crystal 2:21

Because that sounds like a losing battle.

Sarah 2:23

I do want to explain what it is, where it came from and how people use it and what research has found so far. You do not have to enjoy something to understand why another person might find it helpful.

Crystal 2:34

I can agree to learning about it, but I'm making no promises about the whispering.

unknown 2:39

Okay.

Sarah 2:41

That's all I'm asking. ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. It is the name for a pleasant feeling some people experience after hearing, seeing, or touching certain things. People often describe it as a light tingling sensation that begins around the scalp and the back of the head or the neck, and sometimes it moves down towards the shoulders or spine.

Crystal 3:02

So when people call it brain tingles, that's what they mean?

Sarah 3:07

Yes, although the brain itself is not literally tingling, it is more like a soft shiver or a warm, fuzzy feeling around the head and neck. Some people compare it to goosebumps, but it usually feels calmer than the chills you might get from being cold or frightened.

Crystal 3:20

I have never experienced that from someone tapping on a cup.

Sarah 3:24

A lot of people have not. Not everyone experiences ASMR. Some people get strong tingles while others only feel relaxed or sleepy. Some feel nothing at all. And there are people like you who may have a very different reaction.

Crystal 3:37

So I'm not broken because the sound of fingernails tapping makes me want to leave the room.

Sarah 3:42

No, there is no correct reaction to ASMR. The interesting part is that people may have been experiencing these feelings for a very long time, but they did not have a name for them. Before YouTube microphones and people pretending to give eye exams through a camera, someone may have felt it while having their hair brushed. They may have felt it while teachers spoke softly while someone carefully wraps a gift or watching a person draw.

Crystal 4:05

I can understand the hairbrushing part a little more. That is actually a calming experience.

Sarah 4:11

And that may be connected to why ASMR videos work. A lot of the most common triggers copy quiet moments where someone is being gentle, careful, and focused. But for years, people do not know what to call that feeling, so they use buzz names like brain tingles, head tingles, warm shivers, or a relaxing buzz. Some people assume everyone feels it, while other people are worried that they're not the only ones who do.

Crystal 4:38

I imagine telling someone my scalp feels fizzy when people whisper might get you a few strange looks.

Sarah 4:45

And that was part of the problem. Without a shared name, it was hard for people to search for the experience or to find another who understood it. One important moment happened in 27 2007, excuse me. Someone using the name Okay Whatever posted on an online help form. The post was called Weird Sensation Feels Good. The person tried to describe a pleasant feeling that happened during a quiet, ordinary situation. Others began to reply saying that they had experienced it too. Some felt it when they read out loud, others felt it when their hair was touched or when they watched someone carefully complete the task.

Crystal 5:18

So this did not begin as some big wellness business. It was people asking, does anyone else's body do this?

Sarah 5:25

And that's how the online community began. People had that experience first. They were trying to find the language for it. They were not claiming it cured anything, they were not selling a treatment, they were trying to understand what the feeling was.

Crystal 5:38

That already makes a little more sense to me. It was not someone waking up one morning and deciding that whispering was medicine.

Sarah 5:46

No. And then in 2009, a woman who went by the name Whispering Life created a YouTube channel devoted to whispering. She is commonly credited for creating the first channel built around intentional whisper videos for relaxation. The earlier videos were very simple. There were no expensive studio, fancy lights, or microphones shaped like human ears.

Crystal 6:08

The ear microphones are disturbing. I just needed that to be on the record.

Sarah 6:14

They can look strange, but the earlier videos were often recorded with basic equipment. Sometimes the viewer could not even see the creator. The goal was to mostly make something quiet and relaxing for people that enjoyed whispering.

Crystal 6:26

I can respect that more than somebody eating pickles directly into a microphone.

Sarah 6:31

ESMR has expanded quite a bit since the early days. The next major part of the story involved Jennifer Allen. Alan experienced the feeling herself and had spent years trying to understand it. She joined the online community where others described similar experiences. She realized that the community needed a single name everyone could use. In 2010, she created the term autonomous sensory meridian response or ASMR. Does she have a medical background? She was not claiming to be a doctor, nor was she naming a disease. She wanted a neutral term that did not make the experience sound sexual or embarrassing. Some of the other names people used giving the wrong It's sunny outside.

Crystal 7:13

The devil's beating his wife again.

Sarah 7:15

Oh Lord have mercy. I was saying I was, I mean, here's some ASMR for some of you guys.

Crystal 7:21

Is that considered ASMR? Because I listened to that to go to bed at night. My thunderstorm sounds is how I go to bed at night. Oh shit.

Sarah 7:30

She was not claiming to be a doctor, nor was she naming a disease. She wanted a neutral term that did not make the experience sound sexual or embarrassing. For some of the older names people used gave the wrong impression. For most people in the community, the experience was about calmness, comfort, tingles, or focused attention.

Crystal 7:47

So she gave it a science-sounding name so people could talk about it without feeling weird.

Sarah 7:53

That was part of it. Once people had shared name, they could search for it, make groups or compare triggers, and asked researchers to study it.

Crystal 8:02

I still think the name sounds like something printed on a prescription bottle.

Sarah 8:06

Let's break it down. Autonomous means that the response seems to happen on its own. People cannot always force it. Sensory means that it involves senses such as hearing, sight, or touch, smell, and other things. Meridian was chosen to describe the feeling of reaching a high point, and the response means the way the mind and body react.

Crystal 8:28

So the plain English version is something happens, your brain likes it, and your body reacts.

Sarah 8:33

That is way easier to say. Once ASMR had a name, people began making more videos, specifically designed to trigger the feeling. The trigger is simply something that brings on a reaction. Common triggers include whispering, soft voices, tapping, brushing, pain, page turning, slow hand movements, and watching someone carefully complete a task.

Crystal 8:56

And chewing.

Sarah 8:57

And for some people, yes.

Crystal 9:00

I wanted to make sure we did not quietly avoid the worst one.

Sarah 9:05

We would definitely talk about why mouth sounds bother people, but another major trigger is something called personal attention. That is when a creator speaks directly to the viewer and pretends to care for them. They may act like a hairstylist, doctor, nurse, makeup artist, teacher, or a friend.

Crystal 9:21

This is the part why I do not fully understand. I know the person is not actually checking my eyes. I know they are talking to a camera. Why would that feel comforting?

Sarah 9:31

Because the brain can respond to the feeling of attention even when we understand that it's pretend. Think about watching a sad movie. You know the actors are acting, but you still may cry. Or think about a horror movie. You know there's probably not a mass killer in your house, but your heart may still beat faster. Knowing something is staged does not stop the brain from reacting to it.

Crystal 9:52

So the person understands that it's pretend, but the calm voice and slow movements may still make their body relax.

Sarah 9:59

That is one idea. Some ASMR videos copy situations that people already connect with care and safety, having your hair brushed, someone speaking gently during an exam, a teacher patiently explaining something, a person helping you with makeup or skincare. In the video, the viewer has also control. They can pause it, turn it off, choose a different creator, or skip any sounds they dislike.

Crystal 10:22

There's also no pressure to respond. The pretend hairstylist is not gonna ask what you have been doing with your life.

Sarah 10:30

You can feel attention without having to hold a conversation. For someone who is stressed, lonely, tired, or socially overwhelmed, that may actually feel comfortable. Comforting, excuse me.

Crystal 10:38

I can understand the control part. If someone is actually standing close to me and whispering, I cannot just press pause on them.

Sarah 10:45

Yes, context makes a huge difference. Sound that feels comforting when you choose it may feel irritating or threatening when you cannot escape it. That is one of the psychology pieces we keep returning to. The sound itself matters, but so do choice, memory, mood, and the meaning the person it gives.

Crystal 11:02

So it's not only the tapping, it's where the tapping is happening. Who's doing it and whether I agree to hear it?

Sarah 11:09

Yes. As ASMR grew online. Like Heike. As ASMR grew online, the videos became more detailed. The creators started making role plays involving haircuts, medical exams, spa visits, makeup appointments, library visits, and way many other situations. The sound quality also improved. Some creators began recording sound from left to right side. And when the viewers wear headphones, they sound like they are moving around to them.

Crystal 11:40

Which explains why the whisperer suddenly feels like it's inside your ear.

Sarah 11:44

And that's with the intention. For someone who enjoys it, the closeness can make the experience stronger, and for someone who dislikes it, the video may feel much worse.

Crystal 11:52

And that would be me. I do not want to feel like someone has climbed inside my headphones.

Sarah 11:57

Yeah, and that does not mean you're overacting, but your brain is deciding that closeness is unpleasant rather than comforting. What is interesting is that ASMR became popular online before scientists really had a chance to study it. The community has already been sharing experiences and making videos for years. The first major peer review study was published in 2015.

Crystal 12:18

What does peer review mean in like normal language?

Sarah 12:22

It means other ex experts reviewed the study before publications to access whether the research followed specific sound scientific methods. It does not mean that the study is perfect, but is one way a science tries to catch mistakes and weak claims.

Crystal 12:38

So this is one of the first time researchers seriously asked, what are all those people talking about?

Sarah 12:44

Researchers Emma Barrett and Nick Davis surveyed nearly 500 people who reported experiencing ASMR. They asked what caused the feeling, what it felt like, and why people watched the videos. And whispering was one of the most common triggers. Personal attention, slow movement, and crisp sounds were also popular. Many people say they used ASMR to relax, fall asleep, or manage stress. Crispy.

Crystal 13:10

But that does not mean it cured their sleeping problems or stress.

Sarah 13:14

It tells us what people believe they were getting from it. That is important information, but it's not the same thing as proving that ASMR treats a medical condition. I'm lucky gonna take these headphones off. Someone is trying to deafen me.

Crystal 13:33

So someone saying this helps me sleep can be true, but saying this cures insomnia would require much stronger evidence.

Sarah 13:41

That is the difference. The study also showed that many people were describing a similar experience. Tingles often begin around the scalp or neck. Some people felt the sensation move down their backs. Others do not always get tingles, but they still felt calmer.

Crystal 13:55

And some people like me are sitting there wondering when the relaxing part is supposed to begin.

Sarah 14:00

Researchers still do not know why some people experience ASMR and others do not. They have started looking at what happens in the brain. When people say brain tingles, their brain is not physically buzzing. The brain is taking in sound, sight, memory, emotion, and the feeling of what is happening inside their body.

Crystal 14:18

So, what has actually shown up in the brain research?

Sarah 14:21

One small study used an FMRI scanner. That is a machine that helps researchers see which brain areas are more active during an experience. The study included 10 people who already knew that they experienced ASMR. They watched videos while inside the scanner and pressed buttons when they felt relaxed tingles. And during those moments, researchers saw activity in areas linked to reward, emotion, attention, body awareness, and social connection.

Crystal 14:48

Does that mean scientists found the ASMR part of the brain?

Sarah 14:52

No, there does not appear to be one simple ASMR button. The brain is more like a group of areas working together. One area that becomes active was the nucleus accumbens. It is involved in the reward and motivation. Another was the insula. That area helps us notice what is happening inside the body and plays a role in emotions. Other areas related to attention and social feelings were also involved.

Crystal 15:19

So something is happening. It is not only someone's imagining it because they want the video to work.

Sarah 15:25

The brain activity supports the idea that the experience is real for the people reporting it. But the study was very small. It included only 10 people, and all of them had already experienced ASMR. That means we should not treat it like a final answer.

Crystal 15:40

And it does not mean whispering fixes the brain.

Sarah 15:44

It does not prove that ASMR cure is anything. It also does not prove that a specific chemical is released simply because a creator includes it in a video's title.

Crystal 15:53

I've seen videos saying things like instant dopamine release.

Sarah 15:56

Dopamine is often called the happy chemical, but that is a very simple description of a complex system. Dopamine is involved in reward, learning, motivation, and many other processes. Seeing activities in a reward area does not mean that the video is giving someone a medically useful amount of dopamine.

Crystal 16:13

So people may take a real piece of brain science and stretch it much further than the research allows.

Sarah 16:19

Yeah, that happens often in wellness content. A person may use a true word such as dopamine, cortisol, trauma, or nervous system, but they use it in a way that makes a claim sounding more proven than it is. That does not mean that the whole experience is fake. It just means that the it means we have to separate the personal benefit from the medical promise.

Crystal 16:38

And I think that's where I was getting stuck when people talk about ASMR like it's healing the brain. I immediately stop listening.

Sarah 16:46

And that is understandable. But someone can benefit from something without claiming that it's a cure. A person may watch an ASMR video and fall asleep more easily. Someone else may feel less lonely for 20 minutes. Another person may use the sound to focus while studying, and these are still benefits that genuinely help the person.

Crystal 17:04

Even if the benefit is temporary.

Sarah 17:07

And most coping tools are temporary. Taking a walk does not permanently remove stress. Listening to music does not cure every bad mood. A warm bath does not solve the problems waiting for tomorrow. But those things can still help someone get through a difficult evening.

Crystal 17:22

That makes more sense to me than calling ASMR a treatment.

Sarah 17:26

Researchers have also measured changes in the body. In one study, people who experienced ASMR showed a lower heart rate while watching ASMR videos, and at the same time, another measure indicated that their bodies remained alert and emotionally engaged.

Crystal 17:40

How can someone be calm and alert at the same time?

Sarah 17:44

Think about someone playing with your hair. You may feel deeply relaxed, but you're also noticing every movement. Or think about being completely focused on a good book while your body is resting. You are calm, but your attention is still active.

Crystal 17:57

So ASMR may not be the same as just being bored until you fall asleep.

Sarah 18:02

Yeah, it may be a form of calm attention. The person feels settled but remains interested in the sound or the movement. Some researchers have compared parts of ASMR to the chills people get from music, but ASMR is still a young area of research. There are many things we do not know, and we do not know why some people get strong tingles while others get none. We do not know why one person loves whispering but cannot stand tapping. And we also do not fully understand why the same sounds that calm one person can make someone else feel angry, anxious, or disgusted.

Crystal 18:34

That is the part I'm looking forward to because I would like an explanation for why chewing sounds feel like a personal attack.

Sarah 18:41

Yeah, we're gonna get there. But before we focus on why we hate certain triggers, we need to understand the purpose behind the videos. Before we focus on why people hate certain triggers, we need to understand the purpose behind the videos. Most ASMR creators do not claim to be doctors. They are trying to create a certain experience. That may be relaxation, sleepiness, comfort, focus, entertainment, or the feeling of being cared for.

Crystal 19:06

I still do not think I'm gonna start watching it before bed. You don't need to. But I can see that the idea is not as ridiculous as it first looked to me. If someone knows it's not a cure and they're using it because it helps them settle down, I do not see a problem with that.

Sarah 19:22

That's the goal of this conversation. Not to make everyone enjoy ASMR, not to tell anyone that they should force themselves to listen to the sounds they hate. It's about understanding why it works for some people and why it feels awful to the others. And where the honest research ends and the big promises begin.

Crystal 19:38

I'm willing to keep an open mind. I I'm not able to listen to anyone eating directly into a microphone, though.

Sarah 19:45

We can work through that. ASMR began with people trying to describe a feeling they did not have a name for. The internet helped them find one another. Creators learned how to make that feeling happen on purpose, and then researchers began to look at what the brain and body might be doing during that experience. Now we need to talk about why people make ASMR videos, what viewers hope to get from them, and whether the possible benefits are strong enough to outweigh the drawbacks. Now that we know where ASMR came from, the next question is probably the most obvious one. Why are people doing this? Why are creators whispering, tapping, brushing microphones, pretending to give medical exams, folding towels, you know, all that other stuff, or spending 40 minutes slowly organizing makeup? For most ASMR creators, the main goal is to create a relaxing experience. They are trying to help the viewers feel calm, sleepy, comfortable, focused, or cared for. That does not mean every creator has the same reason for making the videos. Some genuinely enjoy helping people relax, and some experience ASMR themselves and want to recreate the sound that works for them. Some enjoy the creative side of making videos, and for others, it's also a job.

Crystal 20:51

We should probably say that part out loud. Some people are making money from this.

Sarah 20:56

They are. Many ASMR creators earn money from advertisements, memberships, sponsorships, live streams, or people paying for a custom video that does not automatically make what they're doing dishonest, but people make money from yoga videos, sleep podcasts, guide meditations, music, entertainment, and all kinds of content. Question is whether the creator is being truthful about what their videos can do.

Crystal 21:16

So saying, I made this to help you relax is fair. Saying this will heal your inner child trauma in 12 minutes is where we need to slow down.

Sarah 21:25

Yes. The intention behind most ASMR is fairly simple. The creator wants to build a quiet little space where the viewer can step away from everything else for a while. Yeah, I know. It's sort of I told you it's like right at our house.

Crystal 21:40

I'm not leaving any time to get zapped out there.

Sarah 21:43

Yeah. Yes, the intention behind most ASMR is fairly simple. The creators want to build a quiet little space where the viewers can step away from everything else for a while. Many of the videos are slow and predictable. The creators may repeat the same sound, move their hands slowly, speaking. Calm voices and avoid sudden changes.

Crystal 22:02

Unless an advertisement cuts in and starts screaming about car insurance. Yeah, that could uh ruin the mood very quickly. You're almost asleep when someone whispers and suddenly a man yells about a summer sale of it, a big summer blowout. Woohoo.

Sarah 22:17

This is one of those problems with using online videos for sleep, but when the video itself says stay calm and steady, the viewer knows what to expect. That's maybe part of the appeal. Every day our brains take a lot of information, phone buzz, people talk, televisions play in the background. We have bills, work, school, families' appointments, and constant lists of things we are supposed to remember. But ASMR gives the brain something small and simple to focus on.

Crystal 22:41

Instead of thinking about 12 different problems, you are listening to someone tap on a bottle.

Sarah 22:47

Sometimes giving the brain one harmless thing to focus on can interrupt racing thoughts. It does not fix the problem, but it gives the mind a short break from the chasing of all of them at once.

Crystal 22:57

That part I understand.

Sarah 22:58

I may not choose tapping, but I understand putting on a television show you have seen a hundred times because you don't want to think. It's a similar idea. Many people have comfort shows, comfort movies, familiar songs, or bedtime routines. They already know what will happen, so their brains do not have to work very hard. Some people use ASMR in the same way. The familiar voice and a familiar sound become part of their routine.

Crystal 23:21

So they may have one creator they listen to every night?

Sarah 23:24

Yes. And some viewers follow the same ASMR creators for years. They become familiar with their voice, the style, and useful triggers, I guess. And the that familiarity may make the experience feel safer and more predictable.

Crystal 23:39

Does that ever become a strange relationship? The viewer may feel like they know the creator, but the creator does not actually know them.

Sarah 23:46

That can happen, and that's what we call parasocial relationships. This is a long word for one-sided connection with someone on the media in the media. You may feel connected to an actor or a musician, a podcaster, YouTuber, or other public figure because you hear them often and know parts of their life, but you do not actually know the person and they don't know you.

Crystal 24:06

So basically, listeners may feel like they know us because they spend time listening to us talk, but we do not know every person listening.

Sarah 24:13

That's a good example. Parasocial relationships are not always bad. They can bring comfort, entertainment, and feelings of connection. The problem comes when viewers forget that the relationship has limits. ASMR can make that connection feel even more personal because the creator may look directly into the camera, whisper to the viewers, and pretend to take care of them.

Crystal 24:30

They may say things like, You are safe, I'm here with you. I'm gonna help you sleep.

Sarah 24:35

These words can feel powerful to someone who is lonely or having a difficult night. The viewers understand that it's a video, but hearing a calm person speaking gently may still help them settle down.

Crystal 24:47

I can see how that could help someone who lives alone or someone who has trouble sleeping when the house is quiet.

Sarah 24:52

And that is one reason people use it. Some viewers say ASMR makes the room feel less empty. It gives them a voice to listen to without the pressure of having a real conversation.

Crystal 25:02

There are nights when you want company, but you you don't actually want to talk to anyone.

Sarah 25:07

Yeah, and that's more common than people admit. You might want to feel less lonely, but you're tired. You don't want to explain your day, you don't want to answer questions, you don't want to take care of anyone else's feelings. And an ASMR video offers you a kind of company that asks for nothing from you.

Crystal 25:21

That sounds a little sad when you say it out loud.

Sarah 25:23

It can be sad if a person has no real connection in their life, but using a video for comfort does not automatically mean someone is isolated or unhealthy. Sometimes people just need a quiet hour. The important question is whether ASMR adds comfort to someone's life or replaces every form of real communication.

Crystal 25:40

So if someone listens to it before bed, that's one thing. If they stop talking to everyone because a pretend friend on YouTube feels easier, they might, they might have a problem.

Sarah 25:51

Yeah, that would be worth paying attention to. ASMR should be a tool, not the only source of comfort the person may have. Another major reason people use ASMR is to help them sleep. A large part of ASMR world is built around bedtime. Creators dim the lights, speak softly, move slowly, and use sounds designed to help viewers wind down. Does ASMR actually make people fall asleep? Some people say yes, it does. The research suggests that some people feel calmer and may have lower heart rates when experiencing ASMR. That could help prepare the body for sleep, but that does not mean ASMR has proven treatment for every sleep problem.

Crystal 26:26

I guess trouble sleeping can have many causes.

Sarah 26:29

It can. Stress, pain, medication, caffeine, work schedule, health conditions, nightmare, anxiety, depression, and the sleeping environment can all play roles. ASMR may help someone relax, but it may not fix the reason they are not sleeping.

Crystal 26:44

So it's like drinking warm tea. It may help you settle down, but it will not solve sleep apnea.

Sarah 26:50

That's very good comparison. Some can say this helps me sleep without claiming that it treats every sleep disorder.

Crystal 26:56

I think people hear the word helps and it turns into a cures. Those are not the same.

Sarah 27:01

They are not. Another reason people use ASMR is stress. A person may watch it after work, during a break, before an appointment, or when they feel overwhelmed. The sounds may give them something to steadily focus on. The slow pace may help them stop rushing for a little while.

Crystal 27:14

It is almost the opposite of most internet content. Most videos are loud, fast, and trying to grab your attention every two seconds.

Sarah 27:22

ASMR often asks you to slow down. Nothing major may happen in the video. Some someone might spend 10 minutes opening a package or brushing a microphone.

Crystal 27:31

Which sounds painfully boring to me.

Sarah 27:33

For some people, boring is the benefit. There's no plot to follow, no arguments, no bad news, no one is asking the viewers to make decisions.

Crystal 27:41

And when you explain it that way, I can see why someone whose day is full of noise and pressure might enjoy it.

Sarah 27:47

And some people also use ASMR while studying or working. They may choose videos with no talking, soft tapping, paper sounds, typing, or quiet room noises. And would that not be distracting? Depends on the person. I mean, some people need silence to focus, others feel focused better when there's a low background noise. Complete silence can make every little noise stand out. Steady background sound may cover up traffic, people talking in another room, or random noise around the house.

Crystal 28:15

That's like people who study with rain sounds or fan running.

Sarah 28:18

It's very similar. Some ASMR videos are less about tingles and more about creating a steady background. A person may never experience the famous scalp tingles and still use the videos for focus.

Crystal 28:29

So someone can enjoy ASMR without having the full ASMR reaction?

Sarah 28:34

Yes. And some people watch for tingles, some watch for sleep, some watch for the comfort, some watch because they just like the sound, and some do not care about the tingles at all.

Crystal 28:44

And that makes it mean a little confusing. People may assume everyone watching is having this big physical reaction.

Sarah 28:51

The ASMR label has grown larger than the original feeling. It now covers an entire content style that includes whispering, tapping, role-playing, soft-spoken videos, satisfying sounds, careful careful movement, and many other things.

Crystal 29:05

Some videos do not seem relaxing at all. I have seen fast ASMR where people tap on 20 things in 30 seconds.

Sarah 29:13

Fast and aggressive ASMR is popular with some viewers.

Crystal 29:16

I do not like that we are calling it aggressive relaxation.

Sarah 29:21

Some people say the faster sounds hold their attention better, the slow videos may leave too much room for their thoughts to wander. Fast movements and quick sound changes gives their brains more to follow.

Crystal 29:32

So the person may be using it to crowd out their own thoughts.

Sarah 29:36

That might be part of it. People have different attention needs. One person may need slow, gentle sounds, and the other may need a fast pattern to stay focused. That is why ASMR has so many categories.

Crystal 29:44

Let's talk about the role plays because those are parts that confuse me the most. Why would someone want to watch a pretend doctor appointment? A real doctor appointments are not relaxing.

Sarah 29:55

And that depends on the person and the way the role play is done. A real appointment may involve waiting, paperwork costs, worry, uncomfortable tests, and fear of bad news. An ASMR medical role play usually removes those parts. The pretend doctor is calm, they explain everything, they listen, they do not rush. Nothing painful happens unless the viewer has chosen more unusual kinds of videos.

Crystal 30:15

The pretend doctor also won't send you a bill.

Sarah 30:18

That may help. The role play keeps the part people may find comforting. Focus, attention, a calm voice, gentle movement, and someone checking that they're okay. It removes many of the stressful parts.

Crystal 30:30

And that makes sense in theory. I still would not choose a dental role play.

Sarah 30:35

And you should not. ASMR is supposed to be chosen. If a video makes you uncomfortable, there's no benefit in forcing yourself through it.

Crystal 30:42

And that is important because sometimes wellness cultures make people feel like discomfort means something is working.

Sarah 30:49

Yes, a person does not need to push through an ASMR trigger that makes them angry, afraid, or sick to their stomach. It's not exposure therapy, it's not a treatment plan, it's online content.

Crystal 30:59

And that may be one of the biggest things I've learned so far. ASMR can be useful, but we should not confuse a video with professional care.

Sarah 31:08

A video can support someone, it can be part of a bedtime routine, and it can help someone settle down before a stressful event. Give them a few quiet moments, but it should not be treated like a replacement for help when someone is struggling with serious problems.

Crystal 31:19

What about people who use it during panic attacks?

Sarah 31:22

Some people may find a familiar voice or sound helpful when they are anxious. It may help them focus on something outside of the panic, but others may find the sound overwhelming. And if someone is having frequent panic attacks, they deserve more support than a playlist.

Crystal 31:36

So we're not saying do not use ASMR. We're saying do not make it carry more weight than it can handle.

Sarah 31:43

That's a good way to put it. I mean, the same apples, the same apples, the same applies to sadness, loneliness, trauma, and depression. ASMR may offer comfort. Comfort matters, but comfort and treatment are not always the same thing.

Crystal 31:57

I think people sometimes act like temporary relief does not count, but getting through the next hour can still matter.

Sarah 32:04

And it can matter a great deal. Not every helpful thing has to solve the entire problem. Sometimes a person needs enough relief to rest, eat, and make a phone call, or get through the night. We need to be honest about what the tool is doing.

Crystal 32:16

What about creators who call their videos things like healing your trauma or removing anxiety?

Sarah 32:22

This is where the words become important. A creator may mean that the video is calming, but when they use medical language, viewers may believe the video has proven to treat a condition. Words like healing, curing, rewiring, resetting, and releasing trauma can sound very powerful, but they can also be misleading.

Crystal 32:40

Especially when the video has millions of views. People assume that the popularity means it works.

Sarah 32:45

A video can be popular because people enjoy it. That's not the same as scientific proof. Millions of people may listen to a certain song when they are sad. That does not make the song a treatment for depression.

Crystal 32:57

It may still help them feel less alone.

Sarah 32:59

And that benefit is real.

Crystal 33:01

I like that way of looking at it because my first reaction is to roll my eyes when someone's whispering is healing to them. But maybe they're using the word healing in a personal way, not a medical one.

Sarah 33:12

And that is possible. People use the word healing to mean many things. They may mean they feel calmer, safer, or emotionally comforted. The problem is when creators promise a medical result or telling someone to stop using raw treatment.

Crystal 33:24

Or tells them that if the video did not work, they were not open enough to it.

Sarah 33:30

That's another warning sign. A creator should not blame the viewer for a trigger not working. ASMR is not universal. What relaxes one person may not may not do anything for somebody else. What helps one person sleep may irritate another person.

Crystal 33:45

And what makes one person feel cared for may make another person feel watched.

Sarah 33:50

The viewer's history matters, their mood matters, sensory needs matter, setting matters. Even the same person may react differently on different days.

Crystal 33:58

I can understand that. Sometimes I want noise in the background. Other times, one person chewing near me is enough to ruin my mood.

Sarah 34:05

And that is why the video's intention does not control the viewer's reaction. A creator may intend for a sound to be calming, but that does not mean every brain will receive it as calming.

Crystal 34:14

And the label relaxing is not a command.

Sarah 34:18

No, it that is where we begin to see both the strengths and the weaknesses of ASMR. One of its strengths is the ease of access. Many videos are free, people can use them at home, they can choose different sounds, creators, links, styles, and they can turn the video off whenever they want.

Crystal 34:33

Unless they fall asleep. Their phone's gonna keep playing the videos until like three in the morning.

Sarah 34:38

And that brings us to one of the drawbacks. If something if someone uses a bright phone screen in bed, stays up searching for the perfect video or gets pulled into more content, it may work against sleep.

Crystal 34:50

You start by looking for a 10-minute tapping video, an hour later you're watching somebody restore an old toaster.

Sarah 34:56

Yeah, that's the real danger of online bedtime routines. The tool may be calming, but the device can keep the brain awake. Some people manage that by turning the screen away, lowering the brightness, and using audio only or setting a timer.

Crystal 35:09

Another possible problem is becoming unable to sleep without it.

Sarah 35:12

A routine can become so familiar that sleeping without it feels difficult. It does not always mean addiction. We should be careful with that word. Many people have routines they dev that they depend on, such as a fan, a television music, or a certain pillow. But if someone becomes extremely anxious without ASMR or cannot function without constantly using it, then they may want to look into what needs the videos is feeling.

Crystal 35:34

So the question is not only do I use this every night, it's what happens when I cannot use it.

Sarah 35:40

And it's helping me or it is starting to control my choices.

Crystal 35:44

I'm still not ASMR fan, but I understand the purpose better now. People are not all sitting around trying to give themselves brain tingles for no reason. They may be trying to sleep, calm down, focus, feel less alone, or create a routine, a quiet routine.

Sarah 35:59

And that's the main point. ASMR is usually created with a positive intention. The creator is trying to evoke a certain feeling for the viewers, but good intentions do not always guarantee that every sound will feel good or that every claim is true.

Crystal 36:11

And the fact that I hate a sound does not mean nobody else can find it helpful.

Sarah 36:16

Just like the fact that someone loves a sound does not mean everyone should be forced to hear it. ASMR is personal. The possible benefit comes from finding the right sounds, the right settings, and the right reasons for using it. The drawbacks often begin when people make medical promises, ignore their own discomfort, or lose sleep from scrolling, or start relying on a video to meet needs that require more support.

Crystal 36:36

And I'm becoming more open to the idea that I can help people. I'm not becoming more open to mouth sounds.

Sarah 36:44

And nobody's asking you to make that sacrifice. Good. The next part of this conversation will explain why the sound that relaxes some people can trigger such strong negative reactions to others. This includes ordinary dislikes, sensory overload, mesophonias, fear of certain sounds, and the way our memories can turn a harmless noise into something our bodies want to escape. We have spent a lot of time talking about why people enjoy ASMR, but now we need to talk about the other side of it. Some people do not feel relaxed when they hear whispering, tapping, chewing, breathing, and you know all that. They feel annoyed, uncomfortable. Sometimes they feel angry before they even have time to think about it.

Crystal 37:20

And that is closer to my experience. The sound happens and my body reacts before I completely remind myself that the person is not doing anything wrong.

Sarah 37:29

And that's the important detail. A strong reaction to a sound is not always a choice. You may know the sound is harmless. You may know that the person is not trying to upset you, and you may even feel guilty about your reaction, but your body can still tense up before your thinking brain has time to stop to step in.

Crystal 37:44

Chewing is one of the biggest ones for me. Someone could be sitting there eating normally, and suddenly that is the only sound I can hear. It's like everything else in the room disappears.

Sarah 37:55

That feeling of the sound taking over your attention is something many people describe. But before we start using names for different sounds reactions, we should say something clearly. Almost everyone has sounds they dislike.

Crystal 38:07

Styrofoam rubbing together.

Sarah 38:09

That's a common one.

Crystal 38:10

A fork scraping across the plate. Also common. Someone clipping their nails in public.

unknown 38:18

Okay.

Sarah 38:19

Okay, we get it. That one may be partly the sound and partly wondering why they chose that location. There are private activities that should be one of them. Yeah. Not liking a sound does not automatically mean you have a condition. Sometimes the sound is simply unpleasant. It may be too loud, sharp, repetitive, or connected to something gross. The reaction becomes more concerning when it's very strong, difficult to control, or begins to affect everyday life.

Crystal 38:42

What would that look like?

Sarah 38:44

Someone might avoid eating with their family because the chewing sound makes them feel infurious. They may leave the classroom because another student clicks a pen and they may struggle to work near someone who sniffs, types loudly, or taps their foot. They might wear headphones for most of the day because they're always worried about hearing a trigger. The reaction may interfere with relationships, school, work, or the ability to enjoy normal activities.

Crystal 39:06

So it's more than thinking that noise is annoying, that sound starts changing what the person can do.

Sarah 39:12

That is the difference we needed to keep in mind. The best known term associated with this is mesophonia. The name is often explained as meaning hatred of sound, but that can be misleading. A person with misophonia, mesophilioma, usually does not hate the sound. They have a strong reaction to certain sounds or to things that connect with those sounds.

Crystal 39:36

Such as chewing.

Sarah 39:37

Chewing is one of the most commonly discussed triggers. Other examples can include lip smacking, swallowing, breathing, sniffing, throat clearing, plant pan clicking, finger tapping, keyboard sounds, foot tapping, or the sound of someone repeatedly moving an object.

Crystal 39:52

So basically every sound another person can make while you're trying to be calm.

Sarah 39:57

Yeah, for someone with severe misophonia, it can feel that way, but the reaction is very personal. One person may be strongly affected by chewing, but another person has no problem with tapping. Another may enjoy eating sounds but becomes overwhelmed by the sound of clicking. There is not one list that applies to everybody.

Crystal 40:13

What does the reaction feel like? Is it mostly anger?

Sarah 40:16

Anger is common, but people also describe disgust, panic, anxiety, distress, or urgent need to escape. Their muscles may tighten, their heart may beat faster, they may begin to sweat or feel hot. Some people describe a rush of energy almost as if their bodies are preparing for a fight, even though they know the sound is not dangerous.

Crystal 40:34

And that is exactly what makes it hard to explain. You know the person chewing cereal is not attacking you, but your body is acting like something terrible is happening.

Sarah 40:43

And that is why telling someone to just ignore it may not be helpful. They may be already trying to ignore it. The sound has grabbed their attention and their bodies have reacted.

Crystal 40:52

The people may get angry at them for being upset.

Sarah 40:55

And that can create a painful cycle. Imagine eating dinner with your family. One person begins chewing, another person becomes tense and asks them to stop. The person eating says, I'm not doing anything wrong. And then the first person snaps or leaves the table. Now everyone is upset.

Crystal 41:08

And both people feel blamed. The person eating thinks, Am I supposed to stop eating? The person reacting thinks, why can't anyone understand what it feels like?

Sarah 41:18

And that is why those reactions can become a relationship problem. The person making the sound may feel watched or criticized, and the person who is triggered may feel trapped, dismissed, or ashamed. The other person may know how to talk about it without conversation turning into an argument. It's not currently listed as its own separate diagnosis in the main book mental health professionals use in the United States. That book is called the DSM, and right now it's the fifth edition TR, but that does not mean researchers believe people are pretending. Experts have worked together to create a shared definition because these reactions can cause real distress and interfere with daily life. Research is still developing and professionals do not agree on every part of how mesophonia should be diagnosed or treated.

Crystal 42:01

So it is real, but the science is still figuring out where it belongs.

Sarah 42:05

Yeah, and that's a lot of things. A condition does not suddenly become real on the day it's mentioned in a diagnostic book. People can face serious problems before researchers fully agree on the names, causes, or best treatment. At the same time, we should not diagnose ourselves based on one video.

Crystal 42:21

Because hating chewing noises is not enough by itself.

Sarah 42:25

Correct. You can strongly dislike a noise without having mesophonia. We would not we would look at how powerful the reaction is, how often it happens, and how much it affects the person's life.

Crystal 42:35

Do researchers know what causes misophenia?

Sarah 42:38

Not completely. There are several ideas, but there's no single proven cause. Brain research gives us clues. One area that has received attention is called the anterior insula. That sounds complicated, but it's part of the brain that helps us notice what is important, understand emotions, and pay attention to feelings inside the body.

Crystal 42:56

What do you mean by feelings inside the body?

Sarah 42:59

Things like noticing your heartbeat, a tight stomach, heat in your face, tension in your chest, or the feeling that something is wrong. And the interior insula helps connect what is happening around us with how we feel inside.

Crystal 43:13

And that area reacts differently to trigger sounds?

Sarah 43:17

One brain image study found a stronger response in that area when people with mesophonia heard that trigger sound, that their heart rates also increased and their body showed signs of stress. That does not mean that the research has found one mesophonia button, but the brain is never that simple. It suggests that the sound is being marked as extremely important and emotionally powerful.

Crystal 43:39

Even if the sound is quiet.

Sarah 43:44

A very loud thunderclap may not bother a person in the same way as a quiet chewing does. The pattern, the sources, and the meaning of the sounds can matter more than how loud it is.

Crystal 43:55

And that's strange because you would think the louder the noise would cause the bigger reaction.

Sarah 44:00

And that would make sense if ears were only measuring volume, but the brain also tries to understand what sound is. A balloon popping, a dog barking, a person chewing, and a pen clicking are very different kinds of information. We do not respond only to how loud something is. We respond to we respond to what we believe is making the sound, what it means to us, or whether we feel we'll be able to control or escape it.

Crystal 44:22

I have noticed that I can sometimes handle a sound better when I'm the one making it.

Sarah 44:27

That is another important part of this. Control can change how sound feels. If you choose to play a sound, you know when the when it's coming and when it stops. When someone else is making it, the timing may feel unpredictable.

Crystal 44:40

It's like hearing someone tap when you do not know whether they will stop in 10 seconds or keep going for an hour.

Sarah 44:46

The lack of control may make the reaction stronger. Context can matter too. Some might enjoy crouching, crunching sounds in a cooking video, but hate hearing a person eat beside them.

Crystal 44:57

How can the same basic noise be pleasant in one place and horrible in another?

Sarah 45:02

Because the brain does not separate the sound from the situation. In the cooking video, the person chooses to listen, while the sound may be clean, planned, and connected to watching food being prepared. At the dinner table, the sound may feel too close, too personal, or impossible to escape. So the reaction is not always about the sound by itself. It can involve the sound, the person making it, the setting, the listener's mood, and what happened before. The same trigger may feel worse when someone is tired, stressed, hungry, or already overwhelmed.

Crystal 45:30

I think most things feel worse when you're tired.

Sarah 45:33

Our ability to handle irritation usually becomes weaker when we are worn down. Think about a smoke alarm with a low battery. The little chirp may be annoying during the day. And at three in the morning, it can feel like the most offensive sound ever created.

Crystal 45:47

Because you're tired, it's quiet, and now you're waiting for the next chirp.

Sarah 45:50

Sometimes the fear of the sound coming back becomes part of the distress. The person is not only reacting to the sound when it happens. They are watching and waiting for it.

Crystal 46:00

That can ruin an entire meal. You hear one chew that bothers you, and now you are listening for every chew after it.

Sarah 46:08

Attention can lock into a trigger. The more closely the person watches for the sound, the harder it may become to focus on anything else. That does not mean that they are choosing to be too upset themselves. The brain may be trying to prepare for something that has decided it's important.

Crystal 46:22

Why are human body sounds such common triggers? Chewing, breathing, swallowing, and sniffing all come from people.

Sarah 46:30

Researchers do not have one final answer. Some theories involve the way the brain connects sound with movement. When we hear someone chewing, our brain interprets the sound as mouth making that movement. Some research suggests that for people with mesophonia, the connection between hearing the sound and recognizing the movement may be unusually strong.

Crystal 46:49

So their brain may be almost copying or feeling the movement?

Sarah 46:53

That is one possibility being studied. Possibility. That is one possibility being studied. We should not present it as the final explanation, but it may help explain why sounds made by the human body can feel especially powerful. Could disgust also be part of it? Yes. Disgust is one of the emotions people report. Disgust is not useless. It can protect us from rotten food, sickness, waste, and contamination, but the disgust system can react more strongly than the situation requires. What chewing sounds may cause a person to picture saliva, food, or germs, or and even when they do not want to?

Crystal 47:30

Thank you for making the chewing sound even worse. I apologize. You should.

Sarah 47:36

But that is an example of how the brain adds meaning to sound. The ears can hear a noise, and the brain creates an image and a story about what the c what caused it, and then the body reacts to the whole experience.

Crystal 47:49

Can a person also learn to hate a sound?

Sarah 47:52

Sound reactions can be shaped by experience. Suppose a child shares a room with someone who snores loudly every night. The sound becomes connected to lost sleep, frustration, and feeling trapped. Years later, snoring may bring back that tension very quickly. Or imagine someone who hurt a certain medical machine during a frightening hospital visit. A similar beeping sound might make them anxious even in a harmless video. Would that be misophonia? Not necessarily. That may be learned fear or memory connected to the sound. This is why we should not place every strong sound reaction under one label. There are different reasons sounds can become difficult.

Crystal 48:27

And this is where I get confused because several words sound like they mean the same thing.

Sarah 48:32

Let's separate them. Misophonia is usually associated with strong emotional response to certain patterns or sounds. The person may feel danger, the person may feel anger, disgust, distress, or the urge to escape. Then we have hypercusis. What is that? Hypercusis is when ordinary sounds feel much louder or more physically uncomfortable than they do most people. A sound that other people can handle may feel painfully loud or unbearable to you.

Crystal 48:57

So misophonia is more like I cannot stand that particular chewing sound. Hyperacusis is more like many everyday sounds feel too loud or painful.

Sarah 49:08

That's a helpful basic difference. Some with hyperacousis may struggle with dishes, clattering, traffic, children shouting, hand dryers, vacuum cleaners, or other everyday noises. The problem is often connected to how loud or physically intense the sounds feel. Could someone have both? They can overlap. A person may have more than one kind of sound sensitivity. This is why an assessment can be helpful when the problem is seriously affecting daily life. And then there's phonophobia.

Crystal 49:34

Phonophobia. Can I make a collect call to phonophobia? Then there is phonophobia.

Sarah 49:40

Phonophobia means fear of sound. The person may be afraid that a sound will hurt, overwhelm them, or worsen another condition, or cause something bad to happen. They may become anxious before entering a place where they expect noise.

Crystal 49:53

So they might avoid a concert because they're afraid of how the sound will affect them.

Sarah 49:58

This could be an example. Someone may fear fireworks, balloons popping, alarms, thunder, and other sounds that are expected to be painful or frightening. The fear may begin before the sound happens.

Crystal 50:08

How is that different from someone with misophonia waiting for a chewing sound?

Sarah 50:12

The experiences can overlap, which is why the terms can be confusing. A simple way to think about them is mesophonia, a specific sound pattern, triggers a powerful emotional reaction, often anger or disgust. With hyperacusis, everyday sounds may feel much louder or physically painful. In phonophobia, fear and worry about sound are central to the reaction. But people do not always fit perfectly into separate boxes.

Crystal 50:38

I like how it says about real people. Like there's fake people.

Sarah 50:41

Right?

Crystal 50:41

Human brains rarely respect the neat little boxes we make for them.

Sarah 50:45

That is true. There's also general noise sensitivity. Some people become overwhelmed in noisy environments, even though no single sound is the problem. A crowded restaurant may have music, dishes, conversations, chairs scraping, phones ringing, and kitchen noises all happening at once.

Crystal 51:02

And that can make it impossible to hear the person sitting across from you.

Sarah 51:06

The brain has to decide which sounds deserves attention and which ones fade into the background. Some people have more difficulty filtering all that noise and may leave feeling tired, irritated, confused, or physically drained. Is that a sensory overload? It can be. Sensory overload occurs when the brain receives more information than the person can comfortably handle. It is not limited to sound. Bright lights, strong smells, uncomfortable clothing, crowds, movement and touch can all add to it.

Crystal 51:31

So someone may be handling the music until the lights start flashing, people being talking over each other, and somebody bumps into them. Then everything becomes too much at once.

Sarah 51:40

The final sound may look like the cause, but it was really the last thing added to an already full system.

Crystal 51:48

Like filling up a cup all day and then blaming the final drop for making it spill.

Sarah 51:52

Exactly. Sensory overload can happen to many people, especially when they are exhausted or stressed. Some people experience it more often or more intensely because how they process sensory information. But once again, we do not want to diagnose a listener based on one experience.

Crystal 52:06

Because nearly everyone has a moment where the television is on, someone is asking a question, a phone is ringing, and you want everyone to stop making noise.

Sarah 52:15

Right. And that does not automatically mean someone has sensory condition. The pattern and the effect on a daily life matters.

Crystal 52:23

Where does ASMR fit into all of this?

Sarah 52:27

ASMR videos often use sounds that sit directly between those differences. Whispering may calm one person and make another feel crowded. Tapping may give one person tingles and another furiosity. Brushing may sound soft to one listener and painfully scratchy to another. Mouth sounds may feel personal and comforting to one person while causing immediate disgust to another.

Crystal 52:48

I still cannot picture mouth sounds being comforting.

Sarah 52:52

You don't have to. Understanding does not require having the same reaction. Fair enough. What is especially interesting though is some people report both ASMR and mesophonia symptoms. They may be very sensitive to sounds in both directions. Certain noises create a pleasant response while others create a powerful negative response.

Crystal 53:11

So someone could love whispering and hate chewing.

Sarah 53:15

Very easily. Or they could love slow tapping but hate quick tapping. They may enjoy sounds from one creator and dislike the same sounds from another. Sensitivity is not always mean that every sound feels bad. It means that the sound has a stronger effect on the person.

Crystal 53:29

And that is something I have not considered. I thought people were either ASMR people or people who hated ASMR.

Sarah 53:37

It is not that simple. A person can have a very narrow group of sounds they enjoy, and they may need the right voice, speed, settings, and level of closeness.

Crystal 53:47

That sounds a lot like a lot of work to find one relaxing video.

Sarah 53:52

Yep, right. And for some people it is. That is why ASMR videos have very specific titles. May say whether the video includes whispering, soft speaking, tapping, mouth sounds, personal attention, and fast movement or no talking.

Crystal 54:04

So people can avoid the sounds they cannot handle.

Sarah 54:07

Ideally, clear titles and warnings can help viewers make that choice. The problem is that the triggers can begin without warning, and someone may click on gentle tapping video and suddenly hear chewing. That feels like betrayal. For someone with a strong reaction, it can be very upsetting. That is why we give a warning at the beginning of this episode. So we are discussing sounds, reactions, but we do not need them to surprise people with the exact noises that distress them.

Crystal 54:30

There's also a difference between talking about chewing and putting a microphone inside someone's mouth.

Sarah 54:35

A very large difference.

Crystal 54:37

What should someone do if a sound bothers them?

Sarah 54:40

It that depends on how serious the reaction is. For an ordinary disliking sound, the answer may be simple. Turn off the video. Move away from the noise. Use background sound. Ask someone politely to stop tapping. Choose an ASMR video that clearly lists its triggers.

Crystal 54:55

And what about people who cannot avoid the sound? You cannot always leave the dinner or work or school.

Sarah 55:01

It may help to talk about the problem before everyone is already upset. For example, instead of shouting, stop chewing like that, someone might say, Certain eating sounds cause a really strong reaction for me. Could we play some music during dinner?

Crystal 55:14

And that sounds less like you are accusing the other person of eating incorrectly.

Sarah 55:19

Small changes may help. Background music, a fan, choosing different seating, taking short breaks, or using sound-reducing earbuds in appropriate settings may miss make the situation easier or block every sound all day. Why? Completely avoiding normal sounds can make life smaller. It may also make some people more worried and watchful about noise. The goal should not always be perfect silence. It may be finding a level of sound that the person can handle while also having ways to calm their body.

Crystal 55:48

Do not force yourself through terrible sounds, but do not build your entire life around escaping every noise either.

Sarah 55:54

That balance can be difficult. If sound reactions are causing panic, rage, pain, family conflict, missed work, or major changes in daily life, it may be time to speak with a professional. Depending on the problem, that may include an audiologist, a medical provider, or a mental health professional who understands sound sensitivity.

Crystal 56:13

And the first person they talk to may not know much about misophonia.

Sarah 56:17

Unfortunately, awareness is still uneven. A person may need to explain their symptoms clearly. Instead of saying, I hate chewing, they could describe what happens in their body, how strong the reaction is, what they avoid, and how it affects their life.

Crystal 56:30

That gives the professional more information than just the sound's name.

Sarah 56:34

It also helps rule out other problems. Sound discomfort can be connected to hearing conditions, migraines, anxiety, trauma, or other health concerns. A good assessment should look at the whole picture instead of assuming every reaction has the same cause.

Crystal 56:47

What should family members avoid saying?

Sarah 56:50

Just getting over it. To just get over it. Usually that does not help. Neither does making the sound on purpose because you think the reaction is funny.

Crystal 56:57

No, people do that. People do that. The moment they learn someone hates a sound, they make it louder.

Sarah 57:03

And that can damage trust. Even if you do not understand the reaction, purposely causing distress is a fair way to prove a point.

Crystal 57:10

At the same time, the person with the sound reaction cannot control everyone around them.

Sarah 57:14

That is so true. It has to go both ways. Someone may need reasonable help, but the other people still have to eat, breathe, type, and move through the world. The goal is not to decide who has is the bad person, but is to find a way to share the space with less distress and less blame.

Crystal 57:29

I mean playing music at dinner instead of telling someone to chew silently.

Sarah 57:33

Or taking small breaks during long meetings, choosing a quieter table in a restaurant, explain the problem before traveling together, using humor kindly rather than making fun of the person.

Crystal 57:43

I think I have been guilty of assuming that because I hate certain ASMR sounds, that the whole thing is ridiculous.

Sarah 57:49

That is an easy conclusion to reach when you focus on the negative reactions.

Crystal 57:53

But now I understand that my reaction does not tell me what someone else is experiencing. I may hear tapping and feel irritated, and another person may hear it and feel shoulders relaxed. And neither person has to be lying. And neither one has to convince the other person to feel the same way.

Sarah 58:10

Right. And that is one of the biggest lessons in this topic is our brains do not give the same meaning to the same sensory information. The sound enters the ears, but the reaction is shaped by attention, memory, emotion control, and the way the brain connects the sound to the body.

Crystal 58:24

I still do not like ASMR.

Sarah 58:27

And you are allowed.

Crystal 58:28

But I am starting to understand why saying it is just a sound may not be fair to either side. For the person who enjoys it may bring real comfort. For the person who cannot stand it, the distress may also be real.

Sarah 58:40

And ASMR is not only about what we hear. A video may have the sound turned off and still make someone uncomfortable. Slow hands moving towards the camera, pretend touching, staring, medical tools, cluster holes, skin close-ups, and certain repetitive movements can all create their own reactions.

Crystal 58:57

So now we're moving from sounds that make me uncomfortable to things I may not want to look at either.

Sarah 59:03

We are, because the next part is about visual ASMR and why some things that look dental and satisfying to one person can activate disgust, fear, and phobias in someone else. So far we have focused mostly on sound, but ASMR is not only something people listen to. Many viewers are just as interested in what they see.

Crystal 59:23

I have noticed that. There are videos where the sound does not seem to be the main point. Someone is slowly moving their hands towards the camera, pretending to touch your face, or staring directly at you while holding some medical tools.

Sarah 59:34

Those are visual triggers. For some people, watching the slow, careful movements can create a same relaxing feeling as hearing a whisper or a tap. They may enjoy watching someone brush the camera, draw a picture, organize objects, mix paint, fold towels, apply makeup, or carefully complete a task.

Crystal 59:52

I understand watching someone finish a task more than I understand the mouth sounds. There is something satisfying about watching a messy area become organized.

Sarah 1:00:01

And that is one reason Visual ASMR has such a large audience. The viewers get to watch something move from unfinished to finished. Everything has a place, the movements are controlled, and there are usually no unexpected problems.

Crystal 1:00:14

Unlike organizing your real house where you begin with one drawer and somehow you end up sitting on the floor surrounded by things you forgot you owned.

Sarah 1:00:22

And the video gives you the satisfying part without giving you the work. Some people also find slow-moving videos easier to follow than fast moving ones. Their attention has one simple place to go.

Crystal 1:00:32

But then we have the videos where someone moves their fingers directly towards the camera. That does not feel relaxing to me. It feels like they're reaching into my face.

Sarah 1:00:40

And that's where people can have very different reactions. For someone who enjoys personal attention, ASMR, a hand moving towards a camera may feel as though they're someone is gently brushing their hair or checking their skin or applying makeup. The person may understand that no one is actually touching them, but the movement can feel can still convey care and attention.

Crystal 1:01:00

I don't read that as care. My brain reads it as why is your hand coming towards my eyeball?

Sarah 1:01:05

That makes sense too. The space around our bodies matters to us. We all have invisible safety zones. How large that area feels can change depending on the person, the situation, and whether we feel safe. When something quickly moves towards the face, the brain may pay attention because it could enter that personal space.

Crystal 1:01:23

Even when the thing is only on a screen.

Sarah 1:01:26

The thinking part of your brain knows that it's on the screen, but your body still may react to the approach of something. Movies use that all the time. An object flies towards the camera and you may blink or lean back, or even though you know it cannot leave the television.

Crystal 1:01:40

Those baseball videos just oh the what yeah, the jump scare ones. Yeah. If something suddenly moves towards the screen, I will still we were just talking about that. We just yeah.

Sarah 1:01:52

Researchers call that approaching movement looming. It simply means that something appears to be coming closer. Our brains are built to notice approaching objects because in real life we may need to move out of the way.

Crystal 1:02:05

So when an ASMR creator slowly brings scissors, a makeup brush, or their fingers towards the camera, one person may think someone is taking care of me. Another person may think something is getting too close.

Sarah 1:02:17

Neither person is choosing the first feeling that comes up. Their brain's making a quick guess about what the movement means. Does speed make a difference? It can. A slow movement may feel more predictable than something suddenly rushing towards your face, but slow does not always mean comfortable. If a person dislikes having someone in their personal space, even very gentle movement can feel intrusive.

Crystal 1:02:40

Especially when the creator keeps looking directly into the camera.

Sarah 1:02:44

Yes, eye contact is another visual trigger that people experience differently. Some viewers enjoy it because it makes them the attention feel more personal, and the creator appears to be focused only on them. Is that the part some people find comforting? Yes. Imagine talking to someone calm, interested, and not looking at their phone. They are listening to you and giving you their full attention. And that could feel very rare. An ASMR creator can copy parts of that experience by looking into the camera and speaking directly to the viewer. But staring can also make people uncomfortable. It can't. You know, think think about blues clues and Dora, you know? Eye contact can feel warm and connecting, but it can also feel intense. Someone shy, anxious, uncomfortable with being watched, or sensitivity to close personal attention may feel exposed rather than cared for.

Crystal 1:03:34

And that is something I am starting to understand about ASMR. The creator may intend one thing, but the viewer's brain can read it as a completely different way.

Sarah 1:03:42

Right. And the title may say gentle personal attention, but the word gentle does not determine how someone feels. The viewer brings their own memories, fears, preferences, and comfort with closeness into the video.

Crystal 1:03:54

And let's talk about the medical role plays because those seem especially likely to go in either direction.

Sarah 1:04:01

Medical ASMR is a large category. Creators may pretend to check the viewer's eyes, ears, skin, scalps, teeth, breathing, or reflexes. And they may wear gloves, use flashlights, hold instruments near the camera, or ask pretend medical questions. And some people watch that to relax. They do. A calm medical role play can create an ideal appointment. The pretend provider is patient, they explain what they are doing, they listen. And again, no crowded waiting rooms, paperwork, and all that other jazz.

Crystal 1:04:31

Basically, it's all the attention of a medical visit without most of the parts people hate about it.

Sarah 1:04:36

And that may be the appeal. Some people also remember positive experiences with caring doctors, school nurses, or family members who cared for them when they were sick. And medical role play may bring back feelings of someone checking on them and making sure they are okay.

Crystal 1:04:49

But for someone who has had a frightening medical experience, it could do the opposite.

Sarah 1:04:54

Yes. The gloves, lights, tools, questions, or the sound of medical equipment may evoke fear before the viewer has time to remind themself that it's only a video. That could happen even if the creator is speaking softly. A soft voice does not erase the meaning of an object. If someone is afraid of needles, seeing needle-shaped tools moving towards the camera may frighten them. If they fear dental work, the sight of metal instruments may be enough to make their bodies tense. If they have a painful eye examination, watching someone move lights towards their camera could bring back that feeling.

Crystal 1:05:25

So the video does not have to show anything actually painful. The person's brain may fail on the rest.

Sarah 1:05:31

And that's an important part of fear. Our brain is trying to predict what is about to happen. And if we have learned that a certain object or situation causes pain, we can react before the pain begins.

Crystal 1:05:41

Like feeling nervous when you smell a dentist's office. Nothing has happened yet, but you already know what usually comes next.

Sarah 1:05:47

The smell, the chair, the sound of the equipment, the gloves, or the sight of the instruments can all become warning signs. Researchers have found that dental tools and procedures can bring on anxiety, and people who are already afraid of dental. That is why a pretend dental examination may be relaxing for one viewer and completely unacceptable to another.

Crystal 1:06:06

I would be in the second group. A pretend dentist is still too much dentist.

Sarah 1:06:11

And there's no reason for you to watch it. This is where we should separate fear from a phobia. Most people have things that make them nervous, and a person can dislike needles without having a needle phobia. They can hate going to the dentist without having a dental phobia. When does it become a phobia? A phobia is a strong and lasting fear that is much larger than the actual danger and begins changing how the person lives. The person may go far out of their way to avoid the feared object or situation. The fear can cause serious distress or prevent them from doing things they need to do.

Crystal 1:06:42

For example, someone avoiding important medical care because they're terrified of needles. That is a good example.

Sarah 1:06:48

And the person with severe needle phobia may delay blood tests, vaccines, medications, or other necessary care. May feel panic when they see a needle, hear someone talk about an injection, or even an or even imagine one. Some people with a blood injury or injection phobia may also faint. Why would fear make someone faint? I thought fear usually made the heart speed up. That is what often happens. But blood injury and injection fear can involve a different pattern. The person's body may first become alarmed and then their heart rate and blood pressure can suddenly drop. That drop makes them dizzy or causes them to faint.

Crystal 1:07:24

So when someone says they pass out around blood, they may not be exaggerating.

Sarah 1:07:28

No, it can be a real autonomic reaction. This is another reason why we should not surprise people with medical images or pretend that making them look at it is funny.

Crystal 1:07:37

I have seen people wave needles around at someone afraid because they think the reaction is dramatic.

Sarah 1:07:43

And that can make the fear and shame worse. At the same time, we should not tell listeners that avoiding every reminder forever is the best answer. There are treatments for phobias, but they should be done carefully with a person's agreement.

Crystal 1:07:56

Watching a random ASMR needle video would not count as treatment.

Sarah 1:08:01

No. And ASMR is not exposure therapy. Again, exposure therapy is planned. It usually begins with something the person can handle and slowly works upward. The person can understand the goal, has ways to manage the reaction, and ideally works with someone trained to help.

Crystal 1:08:16

It is not someone saying, I know needles terrify you, so I'm gonna send you a close-up video of one.

Sarah 1:08:21

That would be surprising someone with a trigger, not providing therapy. We keep coming back to choice and control. Because they make a large difference. A person may be willing to face a fear when they have chosen to do so and know what will happen. The same image may feel worse when it appears without warning.

Crystal 1:08:40

Medical videos are not the only visual ASMR that people might struggle with. There are also skin videos.

Sarah 1:08:45

Yes, some creators perform pretend skincare examinations, touch the camera, remove imaginary marks or acts as though they are cleaning their viewer's face. Other videos show real or fake pores, pimples, peeling skin, wax removals, or objects being pulled out of small spaces.

Crystal 1:09:01

So people love those videos.

Sarah 1:09:03

And they find their removal satisfying. That is a clear problem, such as blocked pores, and then they watch it become clean. The video offers a strong before and after result.

Crystal 1:09:12

I understand the satisfaction of seeing something completed. I do not understand why you want to see it in an extreme close-up.

Sarah 1:09:18

For other viewers, close-up images of skin cause immediate disgust. That brings us to another reaction that is often confused with fear. Disgust. Disgust can make us pull away from something that looks dirty, rotten, infected, or unsafe. That is part of the body's protection system. It may help us avoid foods that have gone bad, body fluids, waste, or signs of sickness.

Crystal 1:09:40

So disgust is not only the brain being dramatic, it has a job.

Sarah 1:09:44

It does. But our fear system, it can react to things that are not truly dangerous. A picture on a screen cannot infect you. But if it looks like damaged skin, a parasite, or something contaminated, your stomach may still turn. Some people report that exact reaction. They may feel itching or crawling sensation, nausea, goosebumps, or a strong urge to look away.

Crystal 1:10:03

Is this where tripophobia comes in?

Sarah 1:10:06

Yes. Trypophobia is the name people use for a strong negative reaction to groups of small holes, bumps, dots, or repeated circular patterns. Common examples include lotus seed pods, honeycombs, sponges, bubbles, or patterns placed on human skin.

SPEAKER_02 1:10:22

I am already uncomfortable.

Sarah 1:10:24

And I see that. I get like that too though. Like I definitely get that a little bit. But I don't think it's enough of phobia.

SPEAKER_02 1:10:31

It makes me gag. It makes me like nauseously sick.

Sarah 1:10:34

And and we are not gonna show anyone pictures. Thank you. Despite the word phobia in the name, the reaction is not always mainly fear. Many people describe disgust, skin crawling, itching, nausea, or visual discomfort.

Crystal 1:10:48

So maybe less the pattern is going to attack me, and more I need the pattern away from my eyes.

Sarah 1:10:53

That's right. Researchers still debating why these patterns affect some people so strongly. One idea is that clusters of holes or marks can resemble signs of disease, infection, parasite, or damaged skin. The disgust system may be warning the person to avoid something that appears unhealthy.

Crystal 1:11:07

Even when the pattern is about something harmless, like a sponge.

Sarah 1:11:11

Another idea involves the pattern itself. Certain high contrast clusters may be uncomfortable for visual systems to process. So it could be that the pattern reminds us of the way our eyes process it or both. There may not be one explanation that applies to everyone. Studies have found that tripophobic discomfort is often especially strong when the patterns appear on human skin.

Crystal 1:11:32

Because then it looks like a skin condition.

Sarah 1:11:34

And that makes many ideas like infection or parasites feel more believable to the brain. Again, the person may know that the image was edited, their disgust response still reacts before they finish thinking it through.

Crystal 1:11:46

And this is where online thumbnails become a problem. Sometimes people use those images because they know we will react to them.

Sarah 1:11:53

Disgust and fear attracts attention. Disturbing thumbnail may make someone stop scrolling even if they do not want to look at it. Our brains pay attention to potential danger because ignoring a real threat can have serious consequences.

Crystal 1:12:05

So creators may use something unpleasant because it gets clicked.

Sarah 1:12:08

And that happens across the internet, only not only in ASMR, but it is especially important when a video is advertised as relaxing. A viewer may click expecting gentle skincare and suddenly seeing extremely close up of forest holes or something being removed from skin. And that is another reason titles should be clear. Yes, and people should have enough information to decide whether they want to see it or not. A trigger warning does not ruin the video, it gives you control.

Crystal 1:12:32

Could looking at one uncomfortable pattern mean someone has strepophobia?

Sarah 1:12:37

No. Many people dislike certain clustered patterns. Some images are designed to look disturbing. A strong dislike does not automatically mean a person has a phobia or a mental health condition. We would again look at the strength of the response and its impact on the person's life.

Crystal 1:12:51

I'm noticing a pattern in this episode. We cannot diagnose ourselves because one singular sound or a single picture makes us uncomfortable.

Sarah 1:12:59

Correct. The internet can make a normal reaction sound like a diagnosis. You can dislike chewing without having mesophonia. You can hate needles without having a needle phobia, and you can feel grossed out by skin images without having tripophobia.

Crystal 1:13:12

I definitely have that one though. But we should also not laugh at someone whose reaction is much stronger.

Sarah 1:13:17

Both things can be true. And we should not turn every preference into a condition nor dismiss people experience serious distress.

Crystal 1:13:24

Well, what about videos involving insects? I have seen ASMR where creators use fake bugs, move objects like spider legs, or pretend something is crawling on the viewers.

Sarah 1:13:34

Those may work for someone who enjoys the slightly spooky feeling, but they can trigger existing fears of spiders, insects, worms, or parasites. A video may combine several elements at once, small holes, skins, scratching sounds, and the suggestions of something crawling.

Crystal 1:13:47

That sounds like a video that combines a lot of bad ideas.

Sarah 1:13:51

It may be entertaining for the right audience, though. But someone with an insect phobia or a strong reaction to disgust will probably not experience it as relaxing.

Crystal 1:13:59

Can people also become uncomfortable when the creator pretends to touch them, even if they're not afraid of the particular object?

Sarah 1:14:05

Yeah, someone may dislike the feeling of simulated touch. They may be sensitive on the face, dislike close contact, or feel uncomfortable with another person seeming to control what is happening. Past experiences can play a part, but we should not assume every discomfort comes from trauma.

Crystal 1:14:20

And that is important. People sometimes hear, I do not like being touched, and immediately decide something terrible must have happened to that person.

Sarah 1:14:27

People can have boundaries without needing to be a dramatic explanation. A person may prefer more space. They may dislike eye contact, and they may be easily startled when hands approach their face. They may not enjoy pretend personal attention from strangers.

Crystal 1:14:41

Or they may think the whole role play feels awkward.

Sarah 1:14:44

And that is also allowed. Not every negative reaction needs to be explained by the deepest parts of our brain. Sometimes a person does not enjoy acting.

Crystal 1:14:53

I appreciate that. I just think it is weird.

Sarah 1:14:57

And that's a valid opinion. But when someone does have a strong reaction, understanding fear and disgust can help explain why telling them to relax usually does not work.

Crystal 1:15:05

Because their body has already decided there may be a problem.

Sarah 1:15:08

Fear prepares us to face the threat or get away from it. Disgust pushes us to avoid something that may be contaminated or unsafe. And those systems can respond into a picture, a sound, a memory, or even an idea of what may happen next.

Crystal 1:15:22

Which means ASMR creator can be whispering, you are completely safe, while the viewer's body is saying, I disagree.

Sarah 1:15:29

And the whisper cannot always talk over the warning systems.

Crystal 1:15:32

What should someone do if a visual ASMR video brings on that kind of reaction?

Sarah 1:15:37

First answer is simple. Turn it off. There is no prize for finishing a relaxation video that is making you feel worse.

Crystal 1:15:43

You are not failing at self-care because you hate someone slowly waving a makeup brush at you.

Sarah 1:15:48

Exactly. The viewer can try audio only content, keep the screen turned away, choose videos with only personal attention, or avoid medical and skin-related role plays. They can also read the title and description before watching.

Crystal 1:16:00

And if the fear is affecting important parts of their life, that is different.

Sarah 1:16:03

If someone avoids medical care, cannot be around everyday objects, has panic attacks, frequent faints, or has to make major changes because of fear, it may help to talk with a trained professional. But the goal would not be to make them enjoy a smart. The goal would be to help them live without the fear of being controlled in an important choice.

Crystal 1:16:21

That is a major difference. A person does not need to learn to love a needle roleplay. They may need help getting through an actual blood test.

Sarah 1:16:29

Precisely. Online content should never become a test for whether someone has overcome a fear. A person can be healthy and still choose not to watch a close-up skin video.

Crystal 1:16:37

I feel like I've been more open to ASMR during this conversation, but this section has also shown me that I am allowed to display parts of it.

Sarah 1:16:45

Being open-minded does not mean removing your boundaries. It just means that understanding that your reaction is not the only possible reaction.

Crystal 1:16:53

A hand moving towards the camera may feel invasive to me and caring to someone else. A medical role play may evoke fear in one person and make another feel cared for. A skin video may disgust me while someone else finds the before and after part to satisfy.

Sarah 1:17:08

And the same person may react differently depending on the day. Something that feels calming when they are resting may feel irritating when they are overwhelmed. A video they normally enjoy may become too intense if they have a headache, feel sick, or have already taken in too much noise and movement.

Crystal 1:17:23

That does not mean ASMR stopped working forever. It means the person is not the same every day. We are finally ready to give our verdict. Is ASMR science or pseudoscience?

Sarah 1:17:35

ASMR itself is not pseudoscience. It is a name for a sensory and emotional experience that many people report. Researchers have studied it. They have found patterns in what people describe. They have also measured changes in heart rate, skin response, mood, and brain activity.

Crystal 1:17:52

So the experience deserves to be taken seriously.

Sarah 1:17:55

But the research is still developing. Many studies have been small. They often include people who already know they experienced ASMR. We need more research involving more diverse participants, longer periods, and better comparisons.

Crystal 1:18:07

We have enough information to say that ASMR may help some people relax. We do not have enough evidence to say it cures serious conditions.

Sarah 1:18:15

Pseudoscience begins when people take early research and stretch it into a promise they cannot support. ASMR has not been proven to cure trauma, depression, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, or every sleep problem. It has not been shown to rewire the brain permanently.

Crystal 1:18:30

But a person does not need a medical diagnosis for their comfort to count.

Sarah 1:18:34

Something can be helpful without being a treatment. That may be the most important message of the entire episode.

Crystal 1:18:40

I think that is what changed my view. At first I heard people say ASMR helped them, and I assume they were claiming it was some miracle. Now what do you think? I still do not like all of it. I need that stated very clearly. I do not want whispers in my ears. I do not want anyone pretending to touch my face. And please, for the love of everything, do not chew through a microphone. Your boundaries remain strong. But I'm no longer thinking the entire idea is ridiculous. I can understand why someone might find a soft voice calming. I can understand why watching a careful task may help quiet their thoughts. I can understand why personal attention may make someone feel cared for or less alone. You do not have to share an experience to respect it. And I also understand the people who hate it better. Some sounds may cause a strong reaction than ordinary annoyance. Some visuals may touch on a phobia. Some people may feel crowded by the closeness. Others may become embarrassed because they cannot help but notice that it's roleplay.

Sarah 1:19:37

And the positive and negative reactions can both be real.

Crystal 1:19:40

One person may hear tapping and feel their body settle. Another person may hear the same tapping and feel their body prepare for a fight. Neither person gets to decide what the other one should feel.

Sarah 1:19:50

And that is why ASMR tells us something larger about psychology. We do not only react to what enters our eyes and ears. We react to what our brain believes it means.

Crystal 1:19:59

A whisper can mean comfort, secrecy, danger, closeness, or annoyance. A hand moving towards the camera can feel caring or invasive, and a medical exam can feel reassuring or terrifying.

Sarah 1:20:11

Our memories matter, our sense of safety matters, control matters, the setting matters, and our bodies can respond before we have time to explain the reaction.

Crystal 1:20:19

I think the mistake is assuming that the sound itself has one power. The sound is calming, the sound is disgusting, the image is satisfying.

Sarah 1:20:28

And the sound or image is only part of the experience. The person receiving it completes the experience.

Crystal 1:20:33

So our final answer is not that everyone should try ASMR.

Sarah 1:20:37

And it's not that ASMR is meaningless.

Crystal 1:20:39

It is a possible tool.

Sarah 1:20:41

And one that appears to offer short-term relaxation and comfort for some people.

Crystal 1:20:45

And one that may be irritating, frightening, or completely useless for others.

Sarah 1:20:50

Yeah. Use it when it helps, turn it off when it does not, and do not force it on someone. Do not laugh at someone for enjoying it, and do not laugh at someone for being unable to tolerate it. And do not ask in whispers to solve a problem that needs real care. ASMR can be part of a person's toolbox. It should not have to be the entire toolbox.

Crystal 1:21:08

I came into this conversation not understanding why anyone would choose to listen to these sounds. I will not be able to listen to them myself. And that sounds like progress. It is. Because I'm also leaving with more respect for the people who do. Something does not have to work for me to have value for someone else.

Sarah 1:21:26

And learning about an experience does not require us to change our personal boundaries.

Crystal 1:21:30

As always, be kind to yourself, be kind to each other. And keep pulling back the curtains on the human mind.

Sarah 1:21:36

We'll see you next time.

SPEAKER_00 1:21:38

Okay, buddy. Thank you for listening. Please like and subscribe. Please follow us on social media. I just don't need to.