Ah, ASMR – it’s all the rage right now but what exactly is it? According to the dictionary, it’s defined as a feeling of well-being combined with a tingling sensation in the scalp and down the back of the neck, as experienced by some people in response to a specific gentle stimulus, often a particular sound. I could summarize it as the best most relaxing feeling that comes by way of certain sounds or visual stimulation. Sound good? Let’s look at some of the best ASMR channels to get your tingle on!

Best ASMR Channels

An overview of ASMR

Maybe you’re still confused as to what exactly this ASMR is all about.

Have you ever had someone lightly run their fingers over your scalp or skin and get all tingly? That is very much like what happens to some people when they listen to and or watch ASMR videos. It’s the most amazing relaxing feeling. If you’ve never experienced ASMR maybe you should give it a go!

Most often ASMR channels include whispering, layered noises like realistic brushing, water spray bottles, makeup sounds, lotions, etc.

I find that most often for me the more hand movements and whispers create more tingles than all the layered sounds but I do enjoy a video with lots of different triggers.

I will forewarn you that if you don’t like mouth noises some of the ASMR channels have more mouth noises than others. But don’t let that warning turn you off, not all do.

The science behind ASMR

According to the National Geographic UK “Our own research indicates that the ASMR response is characterised by reliable changes in physiology,” says Poerio. “Sensitive individuals show both a reduction in heart rate and an increase in skin conductance response when watching ASMR videos compared to control participants.”

Digging Deeper Into ASMR

• How Researchers Are Beginning to Gently Probe the Science Behind ASMR by Smithsonian Magazine
• Teasing the Science Behind Brain Tingles in ASMR – by Phycology Today
• Some People Get ‘Brain Tingles’ From These Slime Videos. What’s Behind The Feeling? by NPR

Who can benefit from ASMR

Very Well Mind states “ASMR may not produce the same feeling for everyone, but if it has a soothing effect for you, it’s an easily accessible intervention during periods of high anxiety.” I tend to agree. If you suffer from anxiety, even problems calming the body and mind, or difficulties sleeping ASMR videos and podcasts may just be a tool in your calming toolbox.

Not everyone will experience the calming, relaxing, and tingling good time that some do when listening to ASMR content but give it a go – it may just work for you and be a great addition to your self-care routine.

My personal experience with ASMR

I first discovered the term ASMR and ASMR videos on TikTok in 2021. I believe my first introduction was watching a quick video on TikTok by Ozley ASMR. (she’s in my fav. channel list below) While in the endless scroll on social I was intrigued to stop scrolling and watch this woman whisper and do hand movements to the camera. I was mesmerized and almost instantly began to feel tingly. Something not new to me but the idea of ASMR and videos that bring about those feelings were new to me.

Since I was a child I’d get tingly feelings over my skin and my body would calm and relax when triggered in certain ways. Watching a friend do her makeup, friends doing my makeup, or listening to a soothing voice. It would almost mimic the feeling of someone running their hands over my skin, or fingers in my hair rubbing my scalp. The only thing is that before the popularity of ASMR on YouTube and social media I would just have to wait for a trigger to come across my path – I couldn’t seek it out.

Now, whenever I’ve had an especially stressful day or anxious day, or even if I just want to unwind and relax my body I can simply go to YouTube or podcasts and instantly be thrown into ASMR triggers. Not everyone experiences these tingles. I’m not sure why but I’m just happy I’m one of those who do experience the tingles! Ah, sweet relaxing relief!

 

My Favorite ASMR Channels

Ozley ASMR

She also has a podcast you can find on Apple and Spotify if you’d prefer to listen on your phone while drifting to sleep. She is my go-to for ASMR content. She is personable and unique and I love how tingly her videos make me. Her channel has a lot of ASMR videos to binge if you end up enjoying her content. 

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Jocie B ASMR

She is the second ASMR channel I came across back in 2021. She also has a podcast on Apple and Spotify for those of you who want to listen on your phone. If you have headaches, I bet it would sound extra amazing! She’s been doing this a long while, there are many ideas to pick from. I would say her videos are typically centered around self-care activities.

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The Healing Word ASMR

If you’re a Christian and want to enjoy tingles while listening to scripture and prayers this channel might just be up your alley. Although she isn’t as focused on multiple sources of tingles it is a very calming and relaxing ASMR channel of  her whispering the Word. She updates regularly. She also has them hosted as podcasts as well.

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Sarah Lavender ASMR

Sarah’s channel is newer to me but I’m really loving it already. I especially enjoy her whispering voice. She also has a podcast on Spotify which you can listen to on your phone and just drift off to sleep enjoying the sounds of ASMR. Looks like she’s been at this channel for a couple of years so there should be plenty of videos to watch/listen to. 

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Shelby Whispers

This is your warning, if you don’t like gum-smacking, this specific video above isn’t for you. I chose to highlight this video from her channel because it’s so unique and the first one that grabbed my attention from her channel. 

This is a new-to-me channel and she appears to be brand new to producing ASMR videos but y’all I love this channel. Her videos using a New Jersey accent just really get the tingles flowing. How strange, right? It just does something. And I enjoy her fast-talking and fast trigger videos  – though not all are like that. Her channel has great potential and I hope she sticks with it!

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Restful Rambles

I found this channel originally from TikTok and followed her over to YouTube for full-length videos. I enjoy her and like it when she uses light triggers. I never thought lights could bring about an ASMR feeling but they do for me. And maybe they’ll give you the same tingly feeling, too. Like many of the others, she is on Spotify and Apple Podcasts too. 

Wrapping up the ASMR Tingle-Fest

If you’ve never heard of ASMR before I hope you’ve discovered something relaxing and new that you can utilize when you want to calm down or just feel good. I also hope you find at least one channel above that you’ll sub to and watch when you want to relax. And hey, if ASMR does nothing for you, you learned something new and that’s always worthwhile!

Happy tingles!

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