Deep, soft, and dark sounds induce autonomous sensory meridian response

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR). The ASMR is characterized by a tingling sensation around the scalp and neck and often induces a feeling of relaxation and a reduction of a negative mood. However, it is still unknown what factors affect the ASMR. The present study focused on stimulus characteristics and individuals’ mood states and personality traits. Participants filled out self-reported questionnaires (the Profile of Mood States, Beck Depression Inventory, and Big Five Inventory) and reported ASMR estimates throughout a 17-min experiment while listening to binaural tapping and brushing sounds. Cross-correlation results showed that the ASMR estimates were strongly associated with the acoustic features of auditory stimuli, such as their amplitude, spectral centroid, and spectral bandwidth. This indicates that low-pitched sounds with dark timbre trigger the ASMR. The maximum ASMR was observed around 2 s after the acoustic features changed, suggesting that the sluggishness of multisensory integration may lead to the ASMR experience. In addition, individual differences in the ASMR experience were closely linked to participants’ mood states, such as anxiety, but not to their personality traits. Our results provide important clues to understand the mechanisms of auditory-somatosensory interactions.Significant StatementsThe autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is characterized by a tingling, electrostatic-like sensation across the scalp and back of the neck. This phenomenon can be triggered by a variety of audiovisual stimuli, and many people seek out the ASMR via the internet to receive a feeling of relaxation and reduce a negative mood. We show that the ASMR is induced about 2 s after acoustic features, such as the amplitude, spectral centroid, and spectral bandwidth are changed. This suggests that low-pitched sounds with dark timbre lead to the ASMR experience. The stimulus-driven ASMR effect is found regardless of the personality traits or mood states of participants. Our findings provide a critical clue to understand the mechanisms of auditory–somatosensory interactions.