What the study found: In a 2015 PeerJ survey, people who already experienced ASMR described using it for relaxation, sleep and stress. The survey offers a picture of their experiences; it does not establish that ASMR treats a sleep or mental health condition.
What is ASMR?
Autonomous sensory meridian response is a sensation some people describe as pleasant tingling, often beginning around the scalp or neck, in response to particular sounds, sights or personal attention. Experiences vary, and some people do not get tingles at all.
What the 2015 PeerJ study actually did
Researchers Emma Barratt and Nick Davis surveyed 475 adults recruited from ASMR interest groups. All participants said they experienced ASMR and regularly used ASMR media. The researchers asked about triggers, viewing habits and perceived mood; participants recalled their typical feelings rather than being assigned to a controlled sleep treatment.
In this group, 98% reported using ASMR for relaxation, 82% for sleep and 70% for stress. These are reasons people said they used the media—not measured success rates. Whispering, personal attention, crisp sounds and slow movements were common triggers, though preferences varied.
What the results do—and do not—show
Many respondents reported positive changes in mood around ASMR sessions. Because participants volunteered from fan communities and recalled their experiences, the results cannot establish that ASMR caused the changes or predict how common the response is in the general population. The survey did not measure sleep objectively or establish a treatment for insomnia, anxiety, depression or chronic pain.
What later research adds
A 2018 study by Poerio and colleagues combined an online experiment with a laboratory study. Participants who reported experiencing ASMR showed greater pleasant feelings while watching ASMR videos; the laboratory study also observed changes in heart rate and skin conductance. This adds physiological evidence about the experience, but it did not establish ASMR as a treatment for insomnia.
Trying ASMR as part of a bedtime routine
If you enjoy it, try quiet audio or a familiar video at a comfortable volume and set a timer. Keep the screen dim or use audio if light or scrolling keeps you awake. You do not need to feel tingles for a sound to be relaxing, and there is no reason to continue if a trigger irritates or distracts you.
If trouble sleeping persists, or anxiety or low mood is affecting daily life, talk with a qualified clinician. ASMR can be a personal relaxation preference alongside appropriate care.
Frequently asked questions
Does ASMR work for everyone?
No. Sensations and preferences differ; many people do not experience tingles, and some sounds are unpleasant to them.
Can ASMR cure insomnia?
The 2015 survey did not test or establish it as an insomnia treatment. People with ongoing sleep problems can ask a clinician about evidence-based options.
What were the most common triggers in the survey?
Whispering, personal attention, crisp sounds and slow movements were frequently reported by the participants, who were already ASMR users.
Primary source: Barratt and Davis, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response: a flow-like mental state, PeerJ, 2015. See also NIH information on insomnia treatment.
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Explore sleep guidesExplore ASMR triggers
Interested in the sounds and visuals people try? Our guide to ASMR triggers covers whispering, tapping, gentle movements and other examples. Choose what feels comfortable to you; not every sound will appeal to every listener.
