Meaning: ASMR
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It refers to a tingling sensation, typically felt on the skin, often around the head, neck, or shoulders, in response to specific auditory or visual stimuli. This sensation is often accompanied by feelings of relaxation or calmness.
History and Origins
The term ASMR was coined in 2007 by Jennifer Allen, who created an online forum to discuss the phenomenon after people began reporting similar experiences of tingling or relaxation in response to certain sounds. The term autonomous refers to the self-generated nature of the sensation, while sensory refers to the involvement of the senses, and meridian refers to the calming or pleasant feeling often associated with the response.
Definitions and Meaning in English
- Physical Sensation: A physical feeling of a tingling or shiver, usually triggered by auditory or visual stimuli like soft sounds, whispers, or personal attention videos.
- Relaxation Response: The feeling of calm or relaxation that accompanies the tingling sensation, often leading to reduced anxiety and improved sleep.
Synonyms with Short Explanation
- Tingle response: Refers to the tingling sensation associated with ASMR, often felt on the scalp, neck, or spine.
- Frisson: A similar sensation to ASMR but often triggered by music or sudden, intense emotional reactions, whereas ASMR is typically triggered by softer, repetitive stimuli.
- Calming sensation: A broader term that refers to any feeling of relaxation or soothing, though ASMR is more specific in its tingling sensation.
Example Sentences
- Many people use ASMR videos to help them relax or fall asleep, as the soft sounds and gentle whispers trigger a calming sensation.
- The sound of tapping fingernails in ASMR videos can create a tingling feeling that some viewers find incredibly soothing.
- ASMR has gained popularity on platforms like YouTube, where creators produce videos specifically designed to trigger this response in viewers.
Related Words
- Tinnitus: A ringing or buzzing in the ears, often confused with ASMR but is typically a medical condition, while ASMR is a pleasurable sensation.
- Meditation: ASMR is sometimes used as part of a broader relaxation practice, akin to meditation, to reduce stress or anxiety.
- Mindfulness: The practice of being present and aware, often paired with ASMR experiences to enhance relaxation and mental focus.
More Matches
- Whispering: A common trigger for ASMR, as soft-spoken voices or whispers can initiate the tingling sensation.
- Personal attention: Many ASMR videos simulate personal attention, such as role-playing scenarios where the viewer is “taken care of,” which can trigger ASMR.
- Sound therapy: The use of sound to induce a therapeutic or relaxing response, similar to ASMR, though sound therapy may involve a wider range of sounds and effects.
Antonyms
- Noise: Loud or jarring sounds that typically cause discomfort, anxiety, or stress, the opposite of the calming, pleasurable sensations triggered by ASMR.
- Stress: A state of mental or emotional strain, which is often alleviated by ASMR, as opposed to the tension that may arise from disruptive or unpleasant stimuli.
- Irritation: A feeling of annoyance or discomfort, which is the opposite of the relaxing and soothing experience associated with ASMR.