The initials in the thread title apparently stand for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Until literally this morning, I had not known that anyone apart from myself had experience of this phenomenon, nor had any hopes or expectations that I would hear anything about it, until it turned up on Today.
What I am speaking of is a sensuous response to certain mainly light tapping, clicking or scratching sounds.
I cannot actually remember when I first experienced this; it may have gently impinged itself on my consciousness only to dissipate subsequently due to no thought or importance attaching to it. I do however remember remarking on the soporific qualities inhering in a recording of percussion with electronics by Tony Oxley, when played at low volume, to the saxophonist Elton Dean, and Elton saying he did not think Oxley would be pleased to hear me saying this! Having as an insomniac and occasional panic sufferer discovered their calming effect, I went on to make a tape of like sounds, produced by, among other things, tapping a pencil on the edge of a table and a chair back, cutting paper with scissors, and gently striking a part water-filled saucepan with a wooden spoon while dipping it into a washbasin of water, producing a special water gong effect that I find especially pleasing. I use this tape for tuning in, as a meditation soundtrack. In my own case, I also derive like sensations from watching specific activities carried out by another person, especially applying paint - there is something wonderfully and almost dare one say sub-erotically soothing about these processes that elicit the sensations described in the programme, almost, although she does not say this, as though one is identifying one's own tactileability with the surfaces coming into mutual contact.
I've often thought about this - could it, for instance, be some primitive form of aesthetic response linked to the libido? - but never found anyone else who has admitted experiencing similar. Perhaps, assuming ther response to be commoner than admitted, leading a busy life marginalises conferring significance to it. But I am relieved to discover that I am not as unique in this as I had led myself to think.
The item in question is at 1:41:48 into the link below:
What I am speaking of is a sensuous response to certain mainly light tapping, clicking or scratching sounds.
I cannot actually remember when I first experienced this; it may have gently impinged itself on my consciousness only to dissipate subsequently due to no thought or importance attaching to it. I do however remember remarking on the soporific qualities inhering in a recording of percussion with electronics by Tony Oxley, when played at low volume, to the saxophonist Elton Dean, and Elton saying he did not think Oxley would be pleased to hear me saying this! Having as an insomniac and occasional panic sufferer discovered their calming effect, I went on to make a tape of like sounds, produced by, among other things, tapping a pencil on the edge of a table and a chair back, cutting paper with scissors, and gently striking a part water-filled saucepan with a wooden spoon while dipping it into a washbasin of water, producing a special water gong effect that I find especially pleasing. I use this tape for tuning in, as a meditation soundtrack. In my own case, I also derive like sensations from watching specific activities carried out by another person, especially applying paint - there is something wonderfully and almost dare one say sub-erotically soothing about these processes that elicit the sensations described in the programme, almost, although she does not say this, as though one is identifying one's own tactileability with the surfaces coming into mutual contact.
I've often thought about this - could it, for instance, be some primitive form of aesthetic response linked to the libido? - but never found anyone else who has admitted experiencing similar. Perhaps, assuming ther response to be commoner than admitted, leading a busy life marginalises conferring significance to it. But I am relieved to discover that I am not as unique in this as I had led myself to think.
The item in question is at 1:41:48 into the link below:
. The nearest thing is the 8-hour YouTube video of the sound of a night train which is supposed to aid sleep. I tried it one night but I would probably call it nostalgia rather than ASMR. And it probably kept me awake. I didn't try it again.
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