 Population who experiencing AMSR  -- significant increase of positive mood and a significant decrease in arousal

Syracuse University

This study aimed to investigate whether the experience of ASMR improved mood and reduced arousal in clinical people with and without insomnia and depression symptoms.

The effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos on arousal and mood in adults with and without depression and insomnia.

Smejka, T., &amp; Wiggs, L. (2022). The effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos on arousal and mood in adults with and without depression and insomnia. Journal of Affective Disorders, 301, 60–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.015 

The effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos on arousal and mood in adults with and without depression and insomnia

· The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)

· The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

· The Short Depression-Happiness Scale (SDHS)

· The Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale - modified (PSAS)

The material used

A large majority of the participants who experienced ASMR in the current study reported feeling the sensation in their head/scalp (82%), with a third of participants also identifying the sensation in the back/spine and/or the neck.

Experience of ASMR

The pleasure responses elicited by grooming are due to the release of oxytocin and endorphins which can stimulate calmness and peacefulness in the individual being groomed. Many ASMR videos simulate haircuts and massages and it is possible that these social grooming experiences could induce a similar social-bonding response in the viewer thereby accounting for the relaxing and mood raising effects.

One potential explanation for the positive effects of ASMR- Social grooming

The content of ASMR videos ranges from purely auditory stimuli designed to elicit ASMR such as tapping, whispering and speaking softly to role plays where the video creator (also known as an ASMRtist) guides the viewer through an activity generally found to be relaxing in real life such as a haircut or eye test.

ASMR Videos

•Experience of ASMR is associated with increased relaxation and improved mood.

•Positive effects of ASMR may be notable for adults with symptoms of depression.

•Positive effects of ASMR are greater in adults with symptoms of depression than insomnia.

•ASMR videos have the potential to improve mood and reduce arousal.

•ASMR videos have the potential to alleviate symptoms of insomnia and depression.

The main effects of ASMR Videos

The extent to which the experience of ASMR improves mood and arousal in adults with insomnia or depressive symptoms (compared to Insomnia and Control Group)

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