8 ASMR Audiobooks Guaranteed to Give You the Best Tingles!

Article Updated Nov 14, 2023 to remove an audiobook no longer available.

If you’ve never listened to ASMR Audiobooks, you’re in for a real treat. These calming recordings use soft voices, soothing sounds, and gentle storytelling to trigger that wonderful ASMR feeling – the tingles that run down your spine and make you feel relaxed, happy and focused. Turn off your screen, get comfy, and let an ASMR narrator transport you into another world with their softly spoken words. Tingle on !

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ASMR: Hot Topics

ASMR Frequent Questions:

1 – What is ASMR ?

ASMR is an acronym that stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. The response is characterized by a tingling in the head and scalp area, that often travels to the spine and downwards. People experience ASMR through a range triggers including whispering voices, personal attention role plays, crisp sounds like tapping and crinkling, and slow, repetitive hand movements. While not everyone experience ASMR, for those who do it is considered to be a relaxing and enjoyable sensation and has become popular as a YouTube video genre with the purpose of triggering the response for relaxation.

2 – Why is ASMR relaxing ?

ASMR is relaxing for several reasons. First, the physical sensations experienced during ASMR such as tingling, warmth and euphoria are intrinsically pleasant and relieve tension. The triggers that induce ASMR, like soft voices, tapping sounds and personal attention, activate the brain’s reward systems in a similar way to massage and are associated with feelings of calmness and well-being. Some research suggests ASMR may release dopamine and other ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain that lower stress levels and ease anxiety. Moreover, many ASMR videos instruct the viewer to relax and focus on the sensations, setting an intent to reduce stress and tension. As a result of these combined physical, chemical and psychological effects, ASMR provides a unique method of relaxation and stress relief for those who experience the response.

3 – What does ASMR mean?

ASMR means Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. The abbreviation ASMR was coined by Jennifer Allen in 2010 when she created an online community to connect with others who experience the sensation. ASMR refers to a physical reaction characterized by a pleasurable tingling feeling that typically begins on the scalp or the back of the neck and spreads throughout the body. These tingles and other pleasurable sensations like chills, euphoria, and relaxation can be triggered by specific stimuli like soft spoken words, personal attention, and intentional hand movements. While the exact cause of ASMR is still being studied, the term ASMR encompasses the sensory phenomenon many people experience in response to certain visual and auditory triggers, as well as the growing community of people interested in discussing and sharing videos designed to bring on these responses for relaxation and pleasure.

4- Why do people like ASMR?

People like and enjoy experiencing ASMR for a number of reasons. First, the physical sensations associated with ASMR, such as tingles, chills, and warmth, are innately pleasant and relaxing. For many, ASMR triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain like dopamine and serotonin, inducing positive emotions and reducing stress and anxiety. On a psychological level, ASMR videos provide a sense of intimacy, human connection and focused attention that is typically relaxing and comforting. The whispering voices and soothing sounds of ASMR serve as a distraction from daily worries, while the guided instructions to relax can help people unwind and decompress from a busy or stressful day. For those who frequently experience ASMR, the pleasurable responses associated with it become intrinsically rewarding, leading many people to seek out and consume ASMR videos as a method of stress relief, sleep aid and overall mood enhancement.

5 – Can you use ASMR for sleep?

Yes, ASMR can be used as a way to help people fall asleep or to improve the quality of sleep. Many people report that listening to ASMR videos or audios gives them a relaxed state of mind that helps trigger sleep. There are several reasons why ASMR may aid sleep. First, the pleasant tingling sensations and feelings of relaxation produced by ASMR can lower anxiety and tension that prevents sleep. The soft, soothing sounds and rhythmic tapping noises in ASMR content coincide with the slower brainwave frequencies associated with sleep onset. And the positive emotions and decreased arousal triggered by ASMR make it easier for the body and mind to let go and transition into sleep. As a result, many people use ASMR intentionally as a sleep aid, finding that directed attention ASMR videos or sounds played before bed promote quicker sleep onset, longer sleep duration, and deeper sleep stages. While more research is needed, preliminary studies indicate ASMR may be an effective natural sleep remedy for some individuals.

6- Why do I hate ASMR ?

There are a few reasons why some people dislike or hate ASMR. For starters, the sounds and triggers of ASMR do not produce pleasant tingling sensations or relaxation for everyone. Some people simply do not experience the ASMR response due to biological differences in how their brains process certain stimuli. Some find the personal attention role plays and exaggerated hand gestures off-putting rather than relaxing. ASMR videos may also cause irritation, annoyance or discomfort for those who are sensitive to certain sounds or find the whispered voices distracting rather than soothing. Additionally, lack of understanding about ASMR and a negative stigma towards it may contribute to dislike. Many people are unaware of why others enjoy ASMR and assume it is strange or weird rather than a genuine physical and psychological experience. Once a person understands ASMR, develops an appreciation for the joy it brings others and tries some triggers themselves, dislike may diminish. But for those who unambiguously hate ASMR, avoidance is often the best solution.

7 – Why does ASMR work ?

ASMR works through triggering autonomous sensory meridian responses in the brain that cause a pleasant and relaxing sensation through various audio and visual stimuli. When someone experiences ASMR, the part of the brain associated with reward and pleasure – the caudate nucleus and anterior cingulate cortex – shows increased activity which likely activates endogenous opioid release and causes the feelings of relaxation and euphoria. The triggers for ASMR aim to stimulate the somatosensory, auditory and visual pathways in the brain that detect certain sensations like whispering sounds, personal attention and soft movements that activate ASMR responses for most people. The exact neural mechanisms behind why certain stimuli activate this response while others do not remain an active area of ASMR research.

8 – What does ASMR do to your brain ?

When ASMR triggers are presented, specific areas of the brain show increased activity which likely causes the relaxation and euphoric sensations associated with ASMR. The caudate nucleus and anterior cingulate cortex, two parts of the brain’s reward system, show heightened responses to ASMR triggers. This suggests that ASMR triggers activate the brain’s pleasure and reward centers, likely through the release of endogenous opioids like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. Other areas like the somatosensory and auditory cortices also show increased activity, reflecting the brain’s processing of the various sounds, movements and visual stimuli that trigger ASMR. The combination of reward center activation and sensory center engagement is thought to contribute to the cascading feelings of relaxation, euphoria and reduced anxiety commonly experienced during ASMR. However, research is still emerging on the precise neural mechanisms through which particular ASMR triggers excite these specific regions to produce their calming effects.

9 – What does ASMR stand for/mean in texting ?

ASMR stands for and means Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, when used in texting and messaging.

10 – What does ASMR do ?

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, describing the sensations people experience when exposed to certain stimuli, often auditory or tactile. When people experience ASMR, it typically causes a calming or euphoric sensation, often accompanied by a tingling or “brain-tingles” that starts in the head and scalp and moves down the spine. Common triggers of ASMR include soft spoken voices, personal attention role plays, crisp sounds like tapping or crinkling, and gentle movements or actions like brushing, tracing or hand movements. The goal of ASMR is to induce these relaxing and pleasurable feelings through exposure to specific sensory triggers, which can help reduce stress, promote relaxation and induce sleep. For some, ASMR becomes a satisfying self-soothing technique and a means to cope with anxiety, depression and insomnia. The physiological effects of ASMR remain under study but likely involve the release of “feel good” hormones like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin in response to the activating triggers.

11 – Who invented ASMR ?

While the phenomenon of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) has likely been experienced by many people throughout history, the term “ASMR” was coined more recently. According to those involved in early online ASMR communities, the term itself originated around 2007-2009 when people first began discussing these distinctive tingling sensations online. Individuals like Jennifer Allen, known as GentleWhispering, and Heather Feather are often credited as being pioneers who began making intentional ASMR videos around this time to trigger the response in others. However, the actual person who coined the specific term “ASMR” remains unclear. Regardless of who first used the term, the ASMR community grew rapidly online in the following years as more people discovered the phenomenon had a name and that others experienced similar sensations.

12 – What are ASMR tingles ?

ASMR tingles are the pleasant, tingling sensations that some people experience as a response to Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) triggers. ASMR tingles usually start in the scalp and head region and then spread down the neck and spine, sometimes reaching the limbs. They are described as a mild buzzing, tickling or soothing prickling feeling. The tingles associated with ASMR are considered a core part of the experience for many people, though not everyone experiences them. ASMR triggers like whispering, tapping, crisp sounds, and gentle actions aim to elicit these tingles. While the exact cause of ASMR tingles is still being researched, they are thought to involve the release of dopamine and other feel-good chemicals in the brain in response to pleasurable sensory stimulation. Some also believe the autonomous nervous system plays a role through changes in the peripheral senses. However, for many who experience strong ASMR tingles, the exact origin of the sensations remains a physiological mystery that adds to their relaxing and euphoric qualities.

13 – What are ASMR sounds ?

ASMR sounds are the specific auditory triggers that cause the relaxation response known as Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response or ASMR. Common ASMR sounds include whispered speaking, tapping, brushing, crinkling, crackling and other soft noises. The sounds aim to provide slow, gentle and repetitive sensory stimulation that evokes the characteristic tingling sensations and feelings of calm associated with ASMR. Whispering and soft-spoken voices are among the most popular ASMR sounds as the close, personal yet unintelligible nature of whispered speech activates the auditory and social-emotional areas of the brain. Other soothing ASMR sounds like tapping, scratching and brushing target the auditory cortical areas involved in detecting rhythm, pattern and movement. Through dedicated ASMR videos and audio tracks, these calming noises and sounds aim to provide a sensorial experience capable of lulling the listener into a state of deep relaxation and distraction from worries or insomnia. However, the specific sounds that trigger ASMR can vary significantly between individuals.

14 – Why does ASMR make me sleepy ?

ASMR can make you sleepy for several reasons. First, the calming and pleasurable sensations ASMR triggers activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which induces the relaxation response and physiological changes that promote sleepiness. Second, ASMR sounds and videos provide gentle sensory stimulation that engages your attention in a soothing, monotonous manner, similar to white noise or other sleep aids. This mental absorption and distraction from worries can help ‘shut down’ your brain and produce drowsiness. Third, ASMR often stimulates the release of chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and melatonin that regulate your sleep-wake cycle. This release of sleep-inducing hormones can make you feel tired and ready for bed. Finally, ASMR triggers commonly involve slow, rhythmic patterns that entrain your brain waves to the theta and alpha frequencies associated with hypnogogia, the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep. Together, these physiological, psychological and neuro-chemical effects explain why the calm sensations and mental distraction produced by ASMR triggers can leave you feeling relaxed and ready to doze off.

15- What is a good microphone for ASMR ?

A good microphone for ASMR should be a high quality lavalier microphone that can pick up the soft sounds in ASMR. The wireless PQRQP Mini Microphone is one of the best reviewed for streamers of all kinds of content.

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Affiliate Disclosure: We may be compensated for qualified purchases from links in this article, at no cost to you. Thank you ! You can read full disclosure, here.

Katy B. Rutland

Freelance Writer

My name is Katy, and storytelling is pretty much my jam. Snuggling up with a good book and escaping into a thrilling movie has been my addiction since I was a little kid. I studied English Lit in college which was literally heaven for a word nerd like me. Since graduating I've focused my passion and energy on writing my own novels and screenplays.