Effects of autonomous sensory meridian response on brain activity and mood state

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) has been reported as a sensory phenomenon, in which people experience a tingling, static-like sensation across the scalp, back of the neck and at times further areas in response to specific triggering audio and visual stimuli. The aim of this study was to examine how ASMR videos affect brain activity and mood state. First, we determined the degree of tingling sensation after viewing six candidate videos in sixty healthy students. We then chosen the two videos, which caused higher degree of ASMR sensation. Next, we examined the effects of the two ASMR videos on brain activity and mood state, which were assessed with electroencephalography (EEG) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS), respectively, in six healthy students. Vigor levels of POMS were decreased after viewing the ASMR video. Relaxation and sleepiness levels calculated based on EEG measurements were decreased after viewing the ASMR video. In addition, tension levels were increased after viewing the ASMR video. These findings may suggest that ASMR sensation triggered by viewing videos has some effects on brain activity and mood state.