Peer-Reviewed Research

The Science of ASMR: What Research Actually Shows

Updated July 4, 2026

A plain-English summary of peer-reviewed ASMR studies — what's been measured, what fMRI reveals, and what remains unknown.

From Internet Curiosity to fMRI Lab

The term "ASMR" was coined in 2010 on a Facebook group. For years it was dismissed as pseudoscience. That changed in 2015 when Barratt & Davis published the first peer-reviewed survey in PeerJ, documenting trigger types and reported benefits across 475 ASMR-experiencers.

Since then, ASMR has been studied with controlled physiological monitoring, fMRI, EEG and personality inventories. The picture that emerges: ASMR is a real, measurable response — though only ~20% of people experience strong tingles, the calming effect of the videos extends much more broadly.

Three studies stand out as the foundation of current understanding: Poerio 2018 (physiology), Lochte 2018 (fMRI activation), and Smith 2019 (resting-state connectivity).

~20%of the population reports strong ASMR tingles (multiple surveys)
−3.14bpm reduction in heart rate during ASMR videos (Poerio 2018)
2010year the term ASMR was coined; first peer-reviewed paper appeared 2015

Five Key Studies

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Barratt & Davis (2015)

PeerJ. First peer-reviewed ASMR survey. Catalogued common triggers (whispering, slow speech, personal attention) and reported benefits (relaxation, mood, sleep, pain relief).

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Poerio et al. (2018)

PLOS ONE. Two-experiment study showing ASMR videos reliably lowered heart rate and raised positive affect — comparable in magnitude to music and mindfulness.

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Lochte et al. (2018)

BioImpacts. fMRI study during ASMR experience. Activations in medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, insula — networks tied to social reward and emotion regulation.

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Smith et al. (2017, 2019)

Social Neuroscience. Resting-state fMRI showed atypical default mode network connectivity in ASMR responders — suggesting baseline brain architecture differences.

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Engelbregt et al. (2022)

Experimental Brain Research. EEG showed increased alpha power and decreased beta during ASMR — a signature of relaxed, externally-focused attention.

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Fredborg et al. (2017)

Frontiers in Psychology. Personality study linking ASMR sensitivity to higher openness-to-experience and neuroticism, plus lower conscientiousness and extraversion.

What We Still Don't Know

Honest science means acknowledging the gaps. Current ASMR research limitations:

Small sample sizes.

Most ASMR neuroimaging studies have under 30 participants. Replication with larger cohorts is still needed.

Selection bias.

Participants self-identify as ASMR-experiencers, which complicates blinding and controls.

Causation vs. correlation.

We see brain-network differences in ASMR responders, but we don't yet know whether these are cause, consequence, or simply co-occurring.

Long-term effects.

Almost all studies are acute. The clinical effect of daily ASMR use over months or years has not yet been rigorously tested.

Mechanism.

Is the tingle linked to oxytocin? Endogenous opioids? Mirror-touch synaesthesia? Several hypotheses exist; none are definitively established.

About the Author

ASMR Sanctuary Wellness Team — a small editorial group reviewing peer-reviewed research on ASMR, ambient sound, sleep science and contemplative practice. Every article is reviewed for accuracy against current PubMed-indexed literature. Last reviewed:

Sources & Further Reading

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does fMRI research reveal about the ASMR brain?
Lochte et al. (2018) used fMRI to show ASMR viewers activate the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, insula, and anterior cingulate cortex — regions associated with social reward, emotional regulation, and the neural signature of social bonding and receiving care. The pattern closely resembles the brain activity during trusted grooming and personal attention from caregivers.
What are the main scientific findings on ASMR physiology?
Poerio et al. (PLOS ONE 2018) — the most cited ASMR study — found: ASMR viewers showed significantly reduced heart rate (average 3.14 bpm reduction), increased skin conductance, more positive affect, and lower anxiety compared to controls watching neutral videos. Smith et al. (2019) replicated physiological findings in a larger sample.
Is ASMR related to frisson (chills from music)?
Yes, but differently. Both involve a pleasant sensory response to specific stimuli with skin involvement, neural reward activation, and high openness-to-experience personality trait correlation. Frisson is an acute chills response (seconds), while ASMR tingles are more sustained (minutes). Approximately 25% of people experience both; they appear to share overlapping but not identical neurological mechanisms.
What role does personality play in ASMR sensitivity?
Research consistently finds that ASMR experiencers score higher on openness to experience (imagination, aesthetics, emotional sensitivity) and neuroticism, and lower on conscientiousness than non-experiencers. A 2017 Suffield & Bhatt study found the strongest predictor was trait absorption — the tendency to become deeply immersed in sensory or imaginative experiences.
Why do some people never feel ASMR?
Estimated 20–30% of people are ASMR-non-responders. Neuroimaging differences suggest this correlates with lower connectivity between sensory, emotional, and motor regions in the resting-state network. Non-responders can still benefit from ASMR content as general relaxation media — the tingling response, while pleasant, isn't required for physiological stress reduction.
How does ASMR compare to other relaxation techniques scientifically?
ASMR shows comparable or superior short-term anxiety and mood effects to music relaxation in comparative studies. Unlike deep breathing (which requires effortful practice), ASMR is passive and immediately accessible. However, long-term evidence is much weaker than for established practices like MBSR, CBT-I, and progressive muscle relaxation.
What are the most common ASMR triggers according to research?
Barratt & Davis (2015) surveyed 475 ASMR experiencers: whispering was the most common trigger (75%), followed by personal attention roleplay (69%), crisp/crinkle sounds (64%), slow hand movements (53%), and repetitive tasks/clicking (50%). Online data suggests soft tapping and page turning have become increasingly popular.
Can ASMR help with depression?
Barratt & Davis (2015) found that 69% of people who experienced ASMR used it as a way to manage chronic pain and 82% used it to help with sleep. 70% used it to improve mood during periods of depression or sadness. Physiological studies confirm ASMR elevates mood and reduces negative affect acutely, though long-term antidepressant effects are unstudied.
What is the role of attachment theory in explaining ASMR?
ASMR's most effective triggers involve personal attention, care, and gentle physical attention — mirroring the early caregiving environment. Attachment theory suggests this activates the social bonding and safe haven system (producing oxytocin-like responses), explaining why ASMR viewers describe feeling "cared for" and safe during experiences.
What are the key research gaps in ASMR science?
Major gaps: limited neuroimaging studies (only a handful of fMRI studies exist), no longitudinal research on ASMR as an ongoing wellness practice, no comparative effectiveness trials against established therapies, minimal research on ASMR in clinical populations (depression, PTSD, chronic pain), and limited understanding of why non-responders don't experience ASMR.

Experience It Yourself

Reading about ASMR helps; experiencing it is the point.

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