Glossary

The ASMR glossary

Tingles, triggers, mic cupping, CNE, ear-to-ear: ASMR comes with its own vocabulary. Each word here gets one plain sentence and a link to the videos or the guide that goes further. 78 terms, sorted by kind.

Basics

ASMRalso autonomous sensory meridian response, A.S.M.R.
ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a calm, tingling feeling, usually starting on the scalp, set off by gentle sounds and sights like whispering.The name was coined in 2010 by Jennifer Allen, who wanted a clinical-sounding term so people would feel less embarrassed talking about the feeling. Before that, people online had nicknamed it a "brain orgasm" or "attention-induced head orgasm," but research finds ASMR is not linked to sexual arousal; for most people it is about relaxation. "ASMR" also names the videos made to set the feeling off.Read the guideSource: Merriam-WebsterSource: Trenholm-Jensen et al.Source: Poerio et al.
Frissonalso music chills, aesthetic chills, goosebumps from music
Frisson is a sudden rush of chills or goosebumps, often at a peak moment in music; it can feel a bit like ASMR but is a different, more excited response.Aesthetic chills have been linked to a faster heart rate, while ASMR videos lowered heart rate by about 3 beats per minute in people who experience them. Researchers see the two as distinct.Read the guideSource: Oxford Learner's DictionariesSource: Poerio et al.
Misophoniaalso sound sensitivity, hatred of sound
Misophonia is a decreased tolerance to specific sounds, such as chewing, breathing or tapping, that set off anger, disgust or anxiety.Several of those sounds are popular ASMR triggers, which is why mouth-sound videos split opinion. Misophonia is not yet listed in the DSM-5, but experts agreed on a consensus definition in 2022.Read the guideSource: Cleveland Clinic
Responderalso ASMR responder, non-responder, ASMR experiencer
An ASMR responder is someone who feels ASMR tingles from triggers; plenty of people don't, and some still find the videos calming.In interviews, some regular ASMR viewers said they had never felt the tingles at all.Read the guideSource: Trenholm-Jensen et al.
Sensory overloadalso overstimulation
Sensory overload is when input from your senses, such as sound, light, smells or crowds, feels overwhelming and sets off a stress response.Some people use slow, predictable ASMR to unwind once they have calmed down, but ASMR has not been studied for this, and a busy video can add to the overload.Read the guideSource: Cleveland Clinic
Tingle immunityalso ASMR immunity, lost tingles, ASMR stopped working
Tingle immunity is when ASMR videos that used to give you tingles stop working, most likely because the brain gets used to triggers it hears often.Researchers have noted that some people seem to habituate to videos they have already seen and respond best to new ones. There is no proven fix, but people report that a short break and new triggers or creators help.Read the guideSource: Barratt & Davis
Tinglesalso brain tingles, ASMR tingles, head tingles
Tingles are the light, static-like sensation of ASMR, usually starting at the back of the head and sometimes spreading down the neck and spine.They tend to come in short waves, and some people feel calm with few or no tingles. People sometimes call them "brain tingles."See the videosSource: Barratt & DavisSource: Poerio et al.
Triggeralso ASMR trigger, ASMR triggers
A trigger is any sound, sight or situation that sets off ASMR, such as whispering, tapping, slow hand movements or close personal attention.In the first large survey, the most common were whispering (75%), personal attention (69%), crisp sounds (64%) and slow movements (53%). Triggers are personal, so the same sound can relax one person and bore another.Read the guideSource: Barratt & Davis
Unintentional ASMRalso accidental ASMR, unintentional
Unintentional ASMR is content not made to trigger ASMR that does anyway, like a painting tutorial, a quiet demonstration or a real checkup.Researchers give Bob Ross's painting tutorials and natural sounds such as rain as examples.Read the guideSource: Trenholm-Jensen et al.

Sounds

Breathingalso breathing ASMR, ear breathing
Breathing ASMR uses slow, soft breaths recorded close to the microphone, often moving from ear to ear.Breathing sounds are also a common misophonia trigger, so this one divides people.See the videosSource: Cleveland Clinic
Brown noisealso red noise
Brown noise is steady noise with even more weight on low pitches than pink noise, a deep rumble like steady rain or a shower.Like white and pink noise, nothing in it changes, which is the opposite of ASMR's distinct, human-made sounds. There is very little research on brown noise and sleep.Read the guideSource: Sleep Foundation
Brushingalso brushing ASMR, brush sounds
Brushing ASMR uses soft brushes, such as makeup or paint brushes, swept over objects, the microphone or the camera lens for a gentle, steady sound.See the videos
Crinklesalso crinkle sounds, crinkly ASMR, plastic crinkles
Crinkles are the bright, crackly sounds of plastic wrappers, foil, cellophane or tissue paper being squeezed and folded close to the mic.Crisp sounds such as metallic foil were a trigger for 64% of people in the first large survey of ASMR viewers.See the videosSource: Barratt & Davis
Cutting soundsalso scissors ASMR, soap cutting, kinetic sand cutting
Cutting sounds are the snips, slices and crunches of scissors, a knife through soap or a blade through kinetic sand, crisp and clean.See the videos
Eating soundsalso eating ASMR, chewing sounds, crunchy eating ASMR
Eating sounds are the crunches, chews and sips of someone eating close to the mic; they overlap with mukbang and divide viewers more than most triggers.In a 2018 study of 813 people with ASMR, only 20% named watching or listening to someone eat as a trigger, and chewing is one of the classic misophonia sounds.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.Source: Cleveland Clinic
Fluffy micalso fluffy mic cover, windscreen, deadcat, fluffy mic ASMR
Fluffy mic ASMR is the soft, muffled sound of a furry wind cover on a microphone being rubbed, brushed or scratched, warm and cozy.See the videos
Glovesalso glove sounds, latex gloves ASMR, nitrile gloves
Glove sounds are the snaps, stretches and squeaks of latex or nitrile gloves, often heard in medical and spa roleplays.See the videos
Liquid soundsalso water sounds ASMR, liquid ASMR
Liquid sounds are pouring, stirring, bubbling, dripping or swishing water and gels, soft, flowing sounds recorded up close.In a 2018 study, 36% of people who experience ASMR named water or fluid sounds as a trigger.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.
Mic brushingalso microphone brushing, mic brushing ASMR
Mic brushing is sweeping a soft brush directly over the microphone or its cover, a close, enveloping sound that fills both ears.See the videos
Mic cuppingalso cupping ASMR, mic cupping ASMR
Mic cupping is cupping and rubbing hands around a microphone, making a muffled, warm, pressure-like sound, often paired with whispers.See the videos
Mic scratchingalso microphone scratching, mic scratching ASMR
Mic scratching is scratching nails or tools directly on a microphone or its foam or fluffy cover, for a sharp, close, textured sound.See the videos
Mouth soundsalso wet mouth sounds, mouth clicks, mouth sounds ASMR
Mouth sounds are clicks, pops, kisses and soft smacking noises made close to the mic, one of the most loved and most disliked ASMR triggers.In a 2018 study, 30% of people who experience ASMR named lip-smacking as a trigger. If they bother you, try no-talking videos built on tapping, brushing or crinkles.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.
Page turningalso paper sounds, book ASMR, page flipping
Page turning ASMR is the soft flip, rustle and slide of book, magazine or notebook pages, often with quiet reading or no talking.See the videos
Pink noisealso pink noise for sleep
Pink noise is steady noise spanning all audible pitches with more power in the lows, so it sounds softer than white noise, like steady rain or wind.Some early studies suggest it may help with deep sleep, but more research is needed, and leaving it on all night may cut into REM sleep, so a timer is a sensible choice.Read the guideSource: Sleep Foundation
Scratchingalso scratching ASMR, nail scratching
Scratching ASMR is nails or tools dragged lightly over textured surfaces like fabric, wood or a phone case, a little sharper than tapping.In a 2018 study, 47% of people who experience ASMR named scratching sounds as a trigger.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.
Slimealso slime ASMR, foam ASMR
Slime ASMR is the squishing, popping and stretching of slime or foam, sticky, wet sounds that some people love and others find too intense.See the videos
Tappingalso tapping ASMR, nail tapping
Tapping is fingernails or fingertips drumming on wood, glass, plastic or metal, one of the most popular crisp sounds in ASMR.In a 2018 study, 51% of people who experience ASMR named tapping on hard surfaces as a trigger.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.
Typingalso keyboard ASMR, typing ASMR, mechanical keyboard sounds
Typing ASMR is the steady clicking of keyboards, often mechanical ones, an even sound many people put on for focus or study.See the videos
White noisealso white noise vs ASMR, static noise
White noise is steady sound with all audible pitches at equal volume, a hiss like static; unlike ASMR, it has no voice and nothing to follow.It is mainly used to cover background noise, while ASMR is made of distinct, human-made sounds. Pink and brown noise are softer, deeper versions.Read the guideSource: Sleep Foundation

Voices

Deep voicealso deep voice ASMR, male voice ASMR, low voice ASMR
Deep-voice ASMR features a low, resonant speaking voice, usually soft-spoken rather than whispered, since a whisper loses the voice's pitch.Some people find a low voice easier to fall asleep to, but no study shows it works better than any other voice.Read the guide
Inaudible whisperingalso unintelligible whispering, inaudible ASMR
Inaudible whispering is whispering with no clear words, so you get the soft texture of a voice without having to follow what is said.See the videos
No talkingalso no talking ASMR, no-talking, silent ASMR
No-talking ASMR has triggers only, with no voice at all, a good fit for sleep, study, or anyone who finds voices distracting.See the videos
Soft-spokenalso soft spoken ASMR, softly spoken
Soft-spoken ASMR uses a quiet, gentle speaking voice instead of a whisper, easier to follow for a long time, with less hiss on "s" sounds.In a 2018 study, people speaking softly (74%) was named as often as whispering (70%) as a trigger.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.
Trigger wordsalso stipple, word repetition, trigger words ASMR
Trigger words are words with crisp consonants, such as "stipple," "tingle" or "sleep," whispered over and over close to the mic.See the videos
Whisperingalso whisper ASMR, whispering ASMR
Whispering is the classic ASMR voice, soft, breathy speech close to the mic, and the most common trigger (75%) in the first large survey.See the videosSource: Barratt & Davis

Visual

Camera touchingalso lens touching, camera tapping
Camera touching is when the creator reaches toward the lens and touches or taps it, as if touching your face, often paired with soft sounds.See the videos
Hand movementsalso hand movements ASMR, hand gestures
Hand movements are slow, flowing gestures toward the camera, a visual trigger that can work even with the sound turned low.In a 2018 study, 48% of people who experience ASMR named visual hand movements as a trigger.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.
Light triggersalso light ASMR, follow the light
Light triggers are soft lights moved across the screen, such as penlights or colored lamps, often paired with "follow the light" instructions.See the videos
Pluckingalso plucking negative energy, plucking ASMR
Plucking is a visual trigger: gentle pinching and pulling gestures toward the lens, as if lifting something away from your face, often with soft sounds.See the videos
Satisfyingalso oddly satisfying, satisfying ASMR
Satisfying videos show neat, complete processes, like soap cutting, sand slicing or careful cleaning, that many viewers find calming to watch and hear.Watching someone do a repetitive task was a trigger for about a third of people in the first large ASMR survey.See the videosSource: Barratt & Davis
Visual triggersalso visual ASMR, visual triggers ASMR
Visual triggers are things you watch rather than hear, such as slow hand movements, lights, careful tasks or objects seen up close.In a 2018 study, 51% of people who experience ASMR named watching someone do things in a careful, attentive way as a trigger.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.

Roleplays & formats

Affirmationsalso affirmation ASMR, positive affirmations ASMR
Affirmation ASMR is a video of kind, encouraging phrases, often whispered or soft-spoken, meant to comfort you on a hard day or before sleep.It is a comfort format, not therapy. If low moods last for weeks, a doctor or counselor is the right next step.See the videos
Barber roleplayalso haircut roleplay, barbershop ASMR, haircut ASMR
A barber roleplay acts out a haircut or shave: combing, scissor snips, clippers, spray bottles and quiet small talk, with you as the customer.In a 2018 survey of 813 people who experience ASMR, 56% named getting a haircut as a trigger.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.
Black screenalso black screen ASMR, dark screen ASMR, ASMR black screen for sleep
A black-screen ASMR video keeps the picture dark, or fades to black after a while, so you can listen in bed without a bright screen.See the videos
Cranial nerve examalso CNE, cranial nerve exam ASMR
A cranial nerve exam roleplay copies a doctor's nerve check: follow the light, smile, shrug, listen for finger rubs, all with slow, calm instructions.Like every medical roleplay, it is fiction made for relaxation, not a real exam or medical advice.See the videos
Ear cleaningalso ear cleaning ASMR, ear care, ear massage
Ear cleaning ASMR imitates cleaning the ears with soft tools on a binaural mic's ears, so on headphones the sound feels close inside each ear.It is a sound effect, not ear care advice.See the videos
Eye exam roleplayalso optometrist roleplay, eye doctor ASMR
An eye exam roleplay acts out a visit to the optometrist: lights, clicking lenses, "which is clearer, one or two?" and follow-the-light tests.See the videos
Face attentionalso face touching, face touching ASMR, face tracing
Face attention ASMR mimics touching, tracing, measuring or brushing your face toward the camera, with close, calm attention on you.In a 2018 study, 55% of people who experience ASMR named interaction with the face or head as a trigger.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.
Fast and aggressivealso aggressive ASMR, fast ASMR, fast and aggressive ASMR
Fast and aggressive ASMR uses quick, intense, often unpredictable triggers like rapid tapping and mic scratching; "aggressive" means intense, not angry.It tends to suit people who find slow videos boring or who have stopped feeling tingles from their usual ones.See the videos
Focus testalso focus test ASMR, attention test ASMR
A focus test is a game-like ASMR video where you follow quick instructions, such as tracking a light or a finger, that ask for your full attention.See the videos
Follow my instructionsalso FMI, follow my instructions ASMR
A follow-my-instructions video asks you to do simple things, like close your eyes, look left or follow my finger, so you stay gently engaged.See the videos
Hair playalso hair brushing ASMR, scalp massage ASMR, hair play ASMR
Hair play ASMR shows someone brushing, combing, braiding or massaging hair, whether a real person's, a wig, or yours in a roleplay.In a 2018 study, 73% of people who experience ASMR named getting their hair played with or brushed as a trigger.See the videosSource: Poerio et al.
Medical roleplayalso doctor roleplay, medical ASMR, dentist roleplay
A medical roleplay acts out a checkup, with a doctor, dentist, nurse or eye exam, using slow instructions, gloves and quiet tools.These videos are fiction made for relaxation, not medical care or advice.See the videos
Mukbangalso muk-bang, mukbang ASMR, eating show
A mukbang is a video, often live-streamed, of someone eating a large amount of food while talking to viewers; the word is Korean for "eating broadcast."Mukbang overlaps with ASMR eating videos, which often drop the talking and focus on close crunching and chewing sounds.See the videosSource: Oxford Learner's Dictionaries
Personal attentionalso personal attention ASMR, PA
Personal attention ASMR is when the creator talks to you directly and acts as if caring for you, brushing your hair, checking on you or doing your skincare.It was the second most common trigger (69%) in the first large survey of people who experience ASMR.See the videosSource: Barratt & Davis
Real-person ASMRalso real person ASMR, real-person treatment
Real-person ASMR shows a creator giving a real treatment to another person on camera, such as hair brushing, a scalp check or a massage, instead of to the lens.See the videos
Roleplayalso RP, ASMR roleplay, role play
An ASMR roleplay is a video where the creator acts out a scene, like a haircut, an eye exam or a shop visit, and talks to the camera as if you were there.Researchers describe roleplay as one of the most common themes in ASMR videos, from health care workers to fantasy characters. It is fiction, not real care or advice.See the videosSource: Trenholm-Jensen et al.
Skincare roleplayalso makeup roleplay, skincare ASMR, doing your makeup ASMR
A skincare or makeup roleplay walks through a routine on you, with cleansers, creams, brushes and sponges, step by step and up close.See the videos
Sleep ASMRalso ASMR for sleep, sleepy ASMR
Sleep ASMR is ASMR made for bedtime: usually long, slow and steady, with no talking or a soft voice, and sometimes a dark screen.In the first large survey of ASMR viewers, 82% said they used it to help them sleep. It may help you wind down, but it is not a treatment for insomnia.See the videosSource: Barratt & Davis
Slow and gentlealso slow ASMR, gentle ASMR
Slow and gentle ASMR keeps triggers soft, steady and predictable, a common pick for bedtime and for people trying ASMR for the first time.Slow movements were a trigger for 53% of people in the first large survey of ASMR viewers.See the videosSource: Barratt & Davis
Spa roleplayalso salon roleplay, massage roleplay, spa ASMR
A spa roleplay acts out a pampering visit, such as a facial, massage, hair wash or manicure, with soft voices, towels, brushes and lotion sounds.See the videos
Storytellingalso ramble, whisper ramble, ASMR storytelling
Storytelling ASMR, or a ramble, is a creator chatting or reading softly about anything at all, where the calm voice matters more than the topic.See the videos
Trigger assortmentalso trigger sampler, ASMR trigger assortment
A trigger assortment is a video that moves through many triggers, a few minutes each, handy for finding which sounds work for you.To tell what actually gave you tingles, follow up with a video built around that one trigger.See the videos

Production

3Dioalso 3Dio Free Space, ear mic
3Dio is a brand of binaural microphone with two silicone, human-shaped ears and a mic capsule in each ear canal, sold for ASMR and field recording.The ear shapes change incoming sound much as your own ears do, so on headphones a sound made at the mic's left ear plays in your left ear. That is the effect ear-to-ear and ear-cleaning videos rely on.See the videosSource: 3Dio
Binauralalso binaural ASMR, 3D audio, dummy head
Binaural audio is recorded with two mics placed like human ears, so on headphones sounds seem to come from around your head, left, right, near or far.The effect needs headphones or earbuds; through a single speaker it sounds flat. Many people in the first large survey of ASMR viewers preferred binaural headphones for the depth of sound.See the videosSource: Barratt & Davis
Ear-to-earalso ear to ear whispering, left to right ASMR
Ear-to-ear ASMR moves sounds or whispers from one side to the other, recorded in stereo or binaural so on headphones you hear each ear in turn.See the videos
Gainalso mic gain, input gain
Gain is how much a microphone's signal is boosted; ASMR needs high gain for quiet sounds, which also raises hiss and room noise.A common starting point is to set gain so the loudest peaks land around -6 dB, leaving room before the sound distorts.Read the guide
Layered soundsalso layered ASMR, layered triggers
Layered sounds means several triggers recorded separately and played at once, such as tapping over rain, for a fuller, denser sound.See the videos
Noise flooralso background noise, room noise
The noise floor is the background sound under a recording, such as fridges, fans, traffic and the mic's own hiss, and it rises when quiet ASMR is turned up.Read the guide
Self-noisealso mic self-noise, mic hiss
Self-noise is the faint hiss a microphone makes on its own; low self-noise matters in ASMR because quiet sounds need the mic turned way up.Read the guide

Community

AI ASMRalso AI-generated ASMR, glass fruit cutting
AI ASMR is video made with AI generators, often impossible objects like glass fruit being sliced, with picture and sound created by software.The clips lean on crisp cutting sounds and clean motion. What they lack is a real person paying attention to you, which is one of the most reported ASMR triggers.Read the guide
ASMRtistalso ASMR artist, ASMR creator
An ASMRtist is a person who makes ASMR videos; the word blends "ASMR" and "artist" and is used by viewers and in research papers alike.Read the guideSource: Barratt & DavisSource: Trenholm-Jensen et al.
Bob Rossalso Bob Ross ASMR, The Joy of Painting
Bob Ross, the TV painter, is the classic example of unintentional ASMR: a soft voice, quiet brush sounds and slow, careful work on a canvas.He was not making ASMR, but researchers studying it list his painting tutorials among the things that set off the response by accident.See the videosSource: Trenholm-Jensen et al.
Custom ASMR videoalso personalized ASMR, ASMR commission, custom ASMR
A custom ASMR video is one a creator makes to order for a viewer who pays, with the triggers, voice and length they asked for.Creators set their own menus and limits, keep requests safe for work and can turn any request down.Read the guide
Playlistalso ASMR playlist, sleep playlist
An ASMR playlist is a saved list of videos that play one after another, handy for a bedtime routine without picking each video yourself.For sleep, a playlist of slow, similar videos makes a sudden loud one less likely; pair it with a sleep timer.Read the guide
Shortsalso YouTube Shorts, ASMR shorts
Shorts are YouTube's vertical or square videos of up to three minutes; in ASMR they are usually a quick sample of one trigger.Square or vertical videos of three minutes or less uploaded since October 15, 2024 count as Shorts. For quick videos in the usual format, see ASMR under 10 minutes.See the videosSource: YouTube Help
Sleep timeralso YouTube sleep timer
A sleep timer stops playback after a set time so a video doesn't run all night; YouTube's player has one in its settings, and phones and TVs do too.Read the guide

New to ASMR?

Start with what ASMR is, then the list of triggers, or take the trigger quiz to find yours.