In my first post on ASMR: What is ASMR? I mention and recommended several “ASMRtists”. Many of the ASMR artists on YouTube simulate personal attention through role play and create video mosaics of trigger sounds and movements to help with relaxation. The focus for today is not on the ASMR role play alone, but the combination of psychotherapy and ASMR.

ASMR triggers the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) which is an aspect of the Autonomic Nervous System that helps to calm the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) when it has been excited.  The PNS is essentially the body’s way of regulating the SNS.

If we are under a lot of stress or have experienced a traumatic event the sympathetic nervous system becomes over-active.

Terms

ANS or Autonomic regulates the body’s unconscious actions.

SNS or Sympathetic is associated with the physiological response to stress and emergency. The effects of the triggered SNS are things like elevated heart rate and blood- pressure, excessive sweating, and muscle tension. Anxiety and Panic disorders are associated with the SNS.

PNS or Parasympathetic consists of nerves arising from the brain and the lower end of the spinal cord and supplying the internal organs, blood vessels, and glands. A parasympathetic response is associated with lowered blood- pressure, stimulation of the digestive system,  production of tears and saliva. Extreme cases, like when someone has a severe phobia, can produce a parasympathetic response such as light-headedness and fainting.

ASMR Psychotherapy

Olivia Kissper does something a bit different, in some of her videos she adds an element of ASMR psychotherapy.  ASMR Psychotherapy is best described as a combination of therapeutic techniques such as hypnosis, CBT Cognitive behavioural therapy, positive affirmations, and encourages the development of coping and resilience tactics for everyday life.

Olivia Kissper ASMR recently published YouTube video explaining ASMR:

What is ASMR? Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is a complex name for the pleasant tingles we feel when someone gently touches us, or when hearing a sound or given slow personal attention. In this ASMR video, I’m introducing my channel as a tool for lowering stress, anxiety and insomnia. I use various triggers in my videos with a transpersonal touch, to induce soothing relaxation, reliable tingles and emotional empowerment and inspiration. –Olivia Kissper ASMR

I wondered if there was anyone else offering a psychotherapeutic approach to ASMR online and found that there isn’t much that is readily available.

ASMR University is a WordPress blog dedicated to ASMR research and is a useful resource for learning more about academic studies pertaining to ASMR.

The ASMR Research Project is an online survey that anyone can participate in whether you have experienced ASMR or not. You can find the survey HERE or you can link/share this address: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ASMRsurvey

I found ASMR Scotsman favours the psychological or personality test for relaxation in a few of his videos but I wouldn’t say that falls under the category of ASMR psychotherapy. I couldn’t take the test in the video because I was enjoying his voice too much!

 

The most common kind of psychological healing technique seems to be through the use of reiki, positive affirmations, and hypnosis,  like Jellybean Green ASMR  who has several videos devoted to helping to cleanse the mind.

 

Still, I cannot find anyone who focuses on reframing or reprograming automatic thoughts the way that Olivia does. Why is it that people only combine ASMR with new-age or spiritual healing? It seems like there is the opportunity make greater progress with the integration of psychotherapeutic methods that have proven successful in clinical settings.

Just for fun here is a video from Jen Luv’s ASMR called the Inner Psyche Evaluation based on the book The Cube: Keep the Secret by Annie Gottlieb