Summary
Young adults increasingly seek refuge in autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) videos when feeling overwhelmed by in-person interaction, according to a new report from Revealing Reality.
The study found younger generations (18-44) are significantly more likely to feel overstimulated by social situations and noisy environments compared to older adults.
While ASMR content—videos triggering calming “tingles” through whispers, tapping sounds, and gentle movements—provides immediate comfort, experts worry this “digital soma” may prevent developing real-world resilience skills.
It’s…a lot of things.
For starters, not everyone even has ASMR response. I do, some people don’t. It’s the kind of pleasant tingling going through the spine.
Aside from that, there’s also the psychological aspect. I get calmed by the soft voices, especially when they’re feminine, and ASMR videos are also commonly about personal attention, so it might help one feel cared about.
Essentially, in a modern form, it’s not just about calling the ASMR response itself (although, by definition, a good ASMR video should do that, and there are ASMR creators that do it well), it’s about the safe space and personal attention. It’s what many turn for when they need someone to care and soothe and help with regaining the balance.
But binaural beats are cool as well.