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It is not everyone's cup of tea, but a lot of people find the sound of whispering, tapping and scratching pleasurable -- so pleasurable that it was called "brain orgasms" before the term ASMR was born. But did you know there's more to it than just satisfying sounds?

The term "Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response" or ASMR was first used in 2010 by Jennifer Allen. Before that, it was called other names, including "brain orgasms," "head tingles," or simply "that unnamed feeling." ASMR is described as a feeling of pleasure, satisfaction and euphoria due to an external stimulus.

Common ASMR triggers (aside from sound)

In a study from 2017, researchers found a link of ASMR with different personality traits. This is why not everyone enjoys the sound of whistling or birds chirping, but some do. 

Unknown to many, there are other triggers aside from sound. In another study from 2018, brain scans showed that the exposure of participants to the right ASMR stimuli triggered the parts of the brain that controlled emotional arousal and reward.

Other triggers include visual cues like seeing paint being mixed into a homogenous color, watching the movement of light patterns and seeing nature-inspired sculptures. Some tactile triggers include being tickled with feathers, getting a massage and even brushing the hair.

Mental health benefits of ASMR

Researchers further studied the link of ASMR with different personality traits in 2022. They found that not everyone experiences ASMR, and people with neuroticism and anxiety are more likely to experience it. 

Another study found that ASMR can be induced using the right trigger, and this can cause improved mood and pain symptoms. Other people use it to achieve potential benefits like reduced anxiety, regulated emotions and improved sleep quality, among others.