More relaxing than nature? the impact of ASMR content on psychological and physiological measures of parasympathetic activity

Abstract

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a sensory-emotional phenomenon characterized by distinct tingling sensations and a sense of relaxation induced by specific auditory and visual stimuli. Although ASMR is recognized as a cross-modal experience, psychological and physiological mechanisms behind ASMR remain only partially understood. Across two experiments, we investigated these mechanisms. Experiment 1 showed that ASMR videos with combined audiovisual content elicited stronger tingling sensations than those with auditory-only content, suggesting an additive effect through sensory processing. In Experiment 2, we measured responses to ASMR and nature videos using finger photoplethysmography (PPG) and found that both types of videos reduced pulse rates compared to rest. Notably, ASMR videos caused a greater reduction in pulse rate than nature videos. These findings are discussed in relation to autonomic nervous system activation, cross-modal interactions, and the social grooming hypothesis, which posits that ASMR may replicate comforting effects of social bonding behaviors, such as grooming.