TIL about ASMR, aka "that unnamed feeling" or "head orgasms". So, who else here has this?

mahi-mahi · 2011-02-17T14:51:34-08:00

Ever since I can remember I've gotten this tingling sensation (can be triggered by an array of things, like people playing in my hair, or ambient sounds in a mostly silent setting). I only just found out not everyone gets that!

EDIT : If you do have this, this YouTube channel might be worth a visit. These sound sculptures are particularly effective to trigger mine.

EDIT 2 : Okay, site seems to be down right now, here's a screencap of the main page with the description of the feeling. There ain't that much more info on the site anyway...

EDIT 3 : WOW okay, amazing response, I'm loving reading about all of your individual triggers and some of you have the wickedest ways to describe the feeling.

Anyways, MrStonedOne decided to create a ASMR subreddit, so go right ahead and join it if you feel like it - /r/ASMR

Calber4 · 2011-02-17T18:26:29-08:00

Head orgasms.... they result from mind fucks?

bat-fink · 2011-02-17T19:40:49-08:00

Anyone else have no idea what the fuck this is?

...

No fair!!!

Hamstadam · 2011-02-17T16:37:08-08:00

There's a support group for people that get head-orgasms? Is it a high five and a sticker?

BrainSturgeon · 2011-02-17T15:15:16-08:00

Aghh! I'm so glad I can finally put a name on this thing (at least, I think it's the thing they're talking about)! I always get them when listening to music -- especially around the time of a song's bridge. And I've been able to intentionally induce them during the emotional "apexes" of postrock songs, either ones that I haven't heard before or ones that I haven't listened to in a while.

They basically start at the back of my head and then rush down my spine and spread out onto the back of my legs and arms. It happens very quickly, and I'm almost always smiling right before they happen. They're sometimes so powerful that I literally gasp and my whole body shivers.

I also occasionally get them when touched unexpectedly on the back of my neck.

benjaminck · 2011-02-17T15:19:32-08:00

I love that feeling!!!! :) i get it when someone shows me how to do something like make a paper airplane. I also get it when i get a massage.

sevwig · 2011-02-17T19:16:05-08:00

Sucks to your ASMR!

acewild009 · 2011-02-17T15:07:15-08:00

I love this feeling. Feels really good.

anarchyinmypants · 2011-02-17T14:55:25-08:00

"Close, personal attention from another person/ Haircuts, or other touch from another on head or back" OMG!!! Thank you! Since I could ever remember, I always get this pleasant, tingly feeling whenever another person is doing something for/to me (not sexuallly, though haha). It can be giving me a massage or making me a cup of tea. I never knew there could be a name for this! It's like the best feeling to me : D

bwbeer · 2011-02-18T12:16:10-08:00

We used to invoke these as kids:

We would brush our fingers up and down the back.

Then touch all fingertips all over the back in or real order.

Blow on the back of the neck, then a slight knock on the back of the head.

Then slowly draw your fingertips down the others back.

We had a little mnemonic:

Snakes up. Snakes down. Spiders all around. Wind blows. Skull cracks. Makes you want to freeze.

mahi-mahi · 2011-02-17T16:33:57-08:00

[deleted]

oo_nrb · 2011-02-17T18:40:41-08:00

You just blew my mind. I totally thought this was a normal, everyday thing for everybody, because it is an everyday thing for me!

That YouTube channel you linked to in another post is fantastic. The quill on paper (and even just the shuffling of the paper at the start) has always been a favorite sensation of mine.

Thanks for leading me to this info!

logomachy · 2011-02-17T19:30:35-08:00

I've never felt something like this before... I want it :(

mahi-mahi · 2011-02-17T17:13:30-08:00

Try listening to this virtual haircut mp3 with headphones and let me know if that's the feeling you're talking about.

mahi-mahi · 2011-02-17T18:50:20-08:00

No one else said this, so I'm posting. I get this when in a deep meditative state, like coming out of a deep sleep or a brief heavy nap...I LOVE that sensation, it must be like a seratonin release or a oxytocin relase, I dunno. Any like, supersmart redditors wanna weigh in on this?

MrStonedOne · 2011-02-18T01:09:50-08:00

http://www.reddit.com/r/asmr/

Selffaw · 2011-02-17T16:54:52-08:00

Got a hardcore ASMR today towards the end of the Doctor Who episode "Last of the Time Lords"

ultrafetzig · 2011-02-17T19:51:54-08:00

If this is what I think it is, I'm pretty sure I can do this on command. I thought it was just a variation of goosebumps. Although when I make myself do it the feeling propagates from the back of my neck and upper back up my head and down throughout my body.

everythingallthetime · 2011-02-17T16:14:00-08:00

Thank you for finding this!!

burke · 2011-02-17T19:12:36-08:00

Everyone seems excited at the thought that "they're not alone" and some people think say "I thought everyone had this"

Judging by the fact that most of the people replying, including myself, get these, and the website doesn't suggest it's rare, I think we can conclude that this probably happens to a lot of people. Or at least 90% of Redditors.

BeefPieSoup · 2011-02-17T19:27:01-08:00

I get it when I'm listening to music or watching movies, and it prompts a deep/inspiring thought. It's best when you are too caught up in the thought to notice the sensation building up.

takishan · 2011-02-17T20:17:39-08:00

If this is what I think it is, I can trigger this whenever I want. Is it a feeling that sort of rushes down from the back of your neck through your body?

[deleted] · 2011-02-17T20:26:05-08:00

There is a whole community on YouTube dedicated to making various videos that trigger these head orgasms. My favourite are whispering videos. They work best for me. Very relaxing when you can't sleep. This girl calls ASMRs "whisper chills" and you can listen to her here.

Barrasolen · 2011-02-26T14:58:37-08:00

That Bob Ross "Joy of Painting" show is like cocaine for me. Feels like my brain is on fire but in a good way.

sigh_snootles · 2011-02-27T20:17:05-08:00

This may be my favorite post ever on Reddit, because it makes me feel just a tiny bit less insane to know that others experience it. For years, I've tried in vain to describe the "Mr. Rogers Feeling", as I've always called it, to my wife. Now I can just say, "hey, I'm having ASMR" (an ASsMaR attack?).

taifoid · 2011-02-17T17:53:03-08:00

wicked! I get these almost non-stop watching TED talks or Fora TV. I call them humangasims, because they always happen when I learn something amazing someone has done, and I get overcome with an awesome sensation of realizing just how lucky I am to be the same species.

yoko_OH_NO · 2011-02-17T15:28:58-08:00

Yep, I often get these when listening to a really good song. Puts me in a great mood!

BlazersMania · 2011-02-17T18:13:54-08:00

I fucking love this, i had no idea that not everyone gets this.

DontFeedEgo · 2011-02-17T18:31:34-08:00

10 minutes per person explaining this, now 1 short sweet sentence, thanks! Have an upvote! :D

2011-02-17T19:49:14-08:00

[deleted]

OrangeDrews · 2011-02-17T20:17:20-08:00

I get these every time I read something endearing. I first figured this out when I was reading Gives Me Hope. I just thought it was something that happened to everyone when reading heartfelt things.

mahi-mahi · 2011-02-17T20:18:11-08:00

Is there a mirror. The link is broken / dead.

Nonsensese · 2011-02-18T03:54:55-08:00

Obligatory Boards of Canada song.

brelarow · 2011-02-18T13:26:40-08:00

I haven't had one of these in awhile. :(

Surprised no one mentioned these: http://estrip.org/content/users/theecarey/1209/Hair1218.jpg

They almost always give me that head/spine chill.

TheBeerinator · 2011-02-26T18:04:22-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr-qewC-4gY

Watching this totally did it for me.

Breker · 2011-02-27T02:14:44-08:00

I feel like I have found my spiritual home. This shit has been perplexing me for years and I have been wanting to ask others if they get it but I'm never sure how to word it. Right before bed I watch Youtube videos of people teaching you how to draw stuff. The light scratching on the paper as well as the whispering voice is enough to keep me entranced for hours.

DontFeedEgo · 2011-02-17T18:37:05-08:00

An Example of this for me is triggered multiple times by the death of cell from DBZ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ibkoRUmx0

at :18
at :22
at :43
and 1:01

Firrox · 2011-02-17T16:33:40-08:00

I get it every time I drive into the mountains.

neonskimmer · 2011-02-17T17:37:30-08:00

Yes! I get that too. I also get 'brain zaps' (look it up i guess) once in a while. Seems that it has to do with serotonin.

spacecasserole · 2011-02-17T18:25:39-08:00

Thank you!!! I've always referred to it as random moments of euphoria. I thought everyone gets them. I love the feeling and for me it's induced by music (trance, some industrial, most progressive metal...mostly the electronic parts), sexual and non sexual touch around the head, neck and ears, and repetitive movements.

Gem420 · 2011-02-17T18:28:31-08:00

i thought it was something spiritual as a child til i got older and realized it wasn't. always wondered if it had a name...both my boyfriend and i have this

tophat_jones · 2011-02-17T19:18:38-08:00

Ha I used to get that from watching Bob Ross or Mr. Rogers on PBS when I was a kid. I'd be completely enthralled and then fall asleep.

I always thought it was just because of their soothing voices.

Jawlensky · 2011-02-17T19:48:04-08:00

Just today I was wondering in class when someone was copying something off of my notes if anyone else felt that way. I always felt like a weirdo for getting so worked up over helping someone or someone helping me. Awesome!

not_enough_privacy · 2011-02-17T20:40:59-08:00

I always thought these were the same feelings people felt when they had a fetish, i.e. pizza stomping ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QewFlXfKoeY ) or something equally random.

Good to know what this is called regardless, I get them all the time during random videos.

improbably · 2011-02-18T14:25:02-08:00

I had no idea some people didn't experience this. I get them when someone is reading and/or showing me something in a book, watching cats groom, certain pieces of classical music (Canon in D is a good example), haircuts, or any massage that lasts 15+ minutes. The experience isn't to be confused with a strong emotional response like seeing a scene in a movie or hearing a great speech.

chorok · 2011-02-18T18:45:20-08:00

OH MY GOD.

This is so enlightening. I thought I was weird.

This was also the reason why I watched this so many times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr-qewC-4gY

LISTEN TO IT. It's amazing.

It also happens when I hear people type on old keyboards or punching numbers on calculators. This is crazy!!

ravia · 2011-02-19T08:38:19-08:00

A second observation concerning evolution: this would have to have played a role in skill transmission. Proto-humans, and regular ones for that matter, if they were predisposed to be mildly, pleasurably "entranced" by "instruction" would be inclined to watch someone else either instruct in a task or simply perform it. The latter would probably have preceded the former, thus enabling skill transmission, to some extent. Maybe a cruder form since the attention is distracted by a calm pleasure, non-analytical, non-interactive, but you can posit the evolutionary benefits for this kind of thing all over the place...

Zarith7480 · 2011-02-26T14:02:40-08:00

lol, stuff like this mainly happens when I listen to sad intense music, and most notably when having haircuts. I love getting haircuts because of the sensation. I had no idea only certain people had it though. It's an awesome feeling.

Jhzanto · 2011-02-26T16:39:24-08:00

This is my only thing that does it EVERY time, literally. I've heard the word TOOLgasm years ago to describe this sensation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awYc9xvqnv0 The part that gives me the sensation is where he starts singing "with my feet upon the ground...."

FappingFury · 2011-02-26T18:42:31-08:00

Is it wrong that I want to have this?

fabiolanzoni · 2011-02-26T20:18:22-08:00

It almost always happens to me when and old person is talking to me, especially telling stuff about his/her youth or cool experiences.

Occamstazer · 2011-02-26T21:52:18-08:00

I'm glomming together a rough hypothesis from all this. I think our sensation might be an oxytocin rush. I typically get this impossible-to-describe but intensely pleasurable sensation from situations where I am being instructed, pampered or otherwise paid attention. We all love feeling like we are worth spending time on, right?

Welshie95 · 2011-02-26T23:16:50-08:00

I'm getting it over and over again, just be reading other people's descriptions of it. It's like having multiple orgasms...

midir · 2011-02-17T19:52:35-08:00

What the hell is going on here? Are we being trolled?

Edit: I'm sorry if I sound like some miserable grouch. It's just that I'm actually er.. frightened.. by this page. One of the following must be true:

(A) This is a joke or meme I'm not party to.

(B) I've slipped into a parallel universe.

(C) I'm not the same species as the rest of you.

(D) I've gone mad.

I'm afraid I haven't the foggiest idea what y'all are talking about.

Edit2: I can only think of two remotely comparable notions:

(1) Touching velvet is just all like *lahhhhhh!!*. (It's awful.) I know I'm not alone on that.

(2) When I was little the smell or taste of sausages or smell of shoes or socks would cause me to have a sort of head shiver, where for a few seconds I would shake my head violently from side to side and pull it backwards while poking my tongue out. It was uncontrollable but not unpleasant. As I got older it didn't happen any more.

Edit3: Looking at the lines underneath liney mushrooms makes my legs wobble. Just thinking about those makes my legs go a bit numb like they aren't attached any more. It's not unpleasant just odd.

Edit4: Oh come on this is obviously a joke. If this were genuinely a thing that so many people get then there would be a word for it. Maybe not a short word but not a long one. I would have heard of it. I would have known at least one person in my lifetime go, "Oh I just had a <foo>". I would have seen some reference to this thing on film or television or in books or something somewhere. Congrats everyone, you've thoroughly trolled me.

uthscsabusta · 2011-02-17T16:01:59-08:00

I have head orgasms at least twice a day.

LeeLeeLove · 2011-02-17T16:48:41-08:00

I think I know what feeling this is, but its usually followed by goose bumps am I correct?

rehoboam · 2011-02-17T17:04:16-08:00

I thought that this was like the pee shivers and that everyone got them...

[deleted] · 2011-02-17T18:08:26-08:00

Finally, like others I am now finding out what this is. Now I can enjoy it more as a "head orgasm". DAE ever loose sight for a second and feel like someone hit them three or four times in the head? I am going to do a DAE.

plin · 2011-02-17T18:10:01-08:00

I totally had one as I finished reading this.

Oo, it's still tingling.

jeffy-p · 2011-02-17T18:14:25-08:00

I first felt this when I was in 1st grade, while my teacher was reading a book to our class and showing us the pictures in the book. Super pumped to know I'm not the only one!

[deleted] · 2011-02-17T18:29:37-08:00

I get this from girls touching my hair, or more often is when showering. I have the water hot and it hits the back of my head near where the neck meets it. It's almost a paralyzing feeling that goes down to my arms and chest. Love it.

serialrobots · 2011-02-17T18:56:24-08:00

Yes! Thank you!

schnitzi · 2011-02-17T19:30:30-08:00

I think I had one - once - and didn't know what it was called. It came at the end of (completely non-sexual) dream in which I was given a super knock-out punch from an angel. I woke up in pure bliss, tingling in my head and neck, followed by immediate disappointment as it wore off in seconds. Would love to know how to induce it on demand, but maybe it's a good thing I can't.

NotAnAlt · 2011-02-17T19:34:13-08:00

So, the sites down, but if this is what I think it is than I get it from watching SWAT Scenes in movies and tv shows.

Davin900 · 2011-02-17T19:55:00-08:00

This sounds horrible but I always get that feeling when I watch stupid people concentrating really hard on things. Or sometimes when stupid people try to explain things. Southern accents and devout religious beliefs amplify the feeling.

Edit: And not just stupid people I guess. Sometimes when fairly intelligent people go off on completely ludicrous tangents about stuff like conspiracy theories or other unfounded personal beliefs. It really makes my brain tingle.

Edit2: Thinking again, sometimes it's just a good southern accent that gets my brain orgasm going. Ever watch the Gem Shopping Network? God those accents make my brain tingle...

snootchie26 · 2011-02-17T20:15:57-08:00

[deleted]

workworkwort · 2011-02-17T20:54:45-08:00

Whenever I go into a house I've never been in I get it. Also when I pee.

Zorander22 · 2011-02-17T20:55:01-08:00

Mine are a little different than what's described... it starts more in the neck/upper back and spreads from there. I get it listening to songs for the most part, but also when I see someone standing up and defending others against overwhelming odds.

[deleted] · 2011-02-17T21:02:41-08:00

The first minute and a half of this video always gave me a head orgasm. I'm sure people thought that I was an apple fangirl because I watched it so many times but I just loved the brain tingle!

OneAndOnlySnob · 2011-02-17T21:16:17-08:00

!!!! I've gotten these for a long time and thought I was weird so I never told anyone. I get them from watching people draw. They don't have to be drawing on paper or anything; they can be drawing in air. Sometimes, just drawing attention to their hands is enough.

mahi-mahi · 2011-02-17T21:34:10-08:00

Last week someone posted this link about weird Japanese candy. I watched it over and over again because I loved the sound of it. The water squirting out, the sugar granules being scraped. It was inexplicably soothing.

valleyshrew · 2011-02-17T21:42:19-08:00

I get this sometimes when I watch other people concentrate silently on something. I've always wondered if it was a thing other people have thought about....

The two videos on this channel gave me it. Sorry if someone has already linked those but I doubt it.

Edit - Haha oh wow they've been linked multiple times, sorry! They were the first thing I thought of when I read the title. I didn't know how to find the videos on youtube so I searched the blog I first saw it on and found it here and it's funny reading the comments of people describing it without knowing what it is.

Whenever I watch someone performing a precise or delicate task, especially if it involves subtle rubbing sounds and closeups, I get goosebumps all over my head and arms. Don’t ask me why, I wish I knew.

Since my comment is useless here's a video that I'm certain will not have been linked before that gave me it.

hearingincolor · 2011-02-17T21:46:43-08:00

woah... I always figured that had something to do with the fact that I'm a synaesthete... rustling paper, and sounds that make the color green do it for me...

so cool...

Darchitect · 2011-02-17T22:35:24-08:00

One of the first times I got it was watching a miss America pageant and one of the laird was doing a hula dance. She was moving so slow and deliberately that I melted.

Some things that have triggered them: YouTube videos (origami, tea ceremony, fast asian haircuts, ear cleaning, you know what these are all asian...), someone speaking very slowly (they have to be a nice and meek person), Mr Rogers.

Mnementh2230 · 2011-02-18T05:45:23-08:00

This explains why I love getting my head rubbed so much...

phuckingkunt · 2011-02-18T06:04:27-08:00

lol I get it when thinking about life, the universe, and everything :)

Also haircuts lol

Also, when being asked questions in person. Unless its interrogation style.

mahi-mahi · 2011-02-18T07:13:25-08:00

[deleted]

MakesTooMuchSense · 2011-02-18T07:14:33-08:00

Wow, I love when Reddit tells me of my pre-existing conditions that I had no idea had a name. Thank you sir.

BatmansButler · 2011-02-18T09:04:59-08:00

OMG! i so get these.

slow tickle to my shoulder/spine towards the back of my head works every time (not when I do it though, has to be somebody else). Haircuts basically every time. Girls playing with my hair slowly; rain dripping down the back of my shirt (you know, that one fucking drop that manages to not touch a piece of fabric?) Also, randomly, inspiring speeches... like the one in independence day, works everytime.... random.

I want a haircut now... :)

ent4rent · 2011-02-18T11:56:06-08:00

i had no idea what they were talking about until they mentioned haircuts. then i knew EXACTLY what they're talking about.

i fucking LOVE haircuts

SkyWulf · 2011-02-18T12:27:44-08:00

I think this is a vestigial behavior related to animals making their fur/feathers stand on end to show their feelings.

suchalurker711 · 2011-02-18T13:42:24-08:00

Okay, totally dorky, but I used to associate that feeling with there being "spirits" in the room. Forgive me. I was 12. Something weird would happen, or I would hear a noise I couldn't explain and my scalp would get all tingly. Now, even if I talk about it, it happens, like as I'm typing my scalp is tingling.

ravia · 2011-02-18T14:11:23-08:00

I always found it helped if the person instructing in or demonstrating something was just not quite competent. I don't know why this helps, but if they are really competent, it's gone. This is so weird to see this on here, btw.

Best thing I ever saw like that was the Alumaloy demonstration video on an infomercial on tv.

RebaRockefeller · 2011-02-26T14:12:36-08:00

I get the most intense goose bumps and chills, everywhere, when something affects me emotionally.. awesome music, striking art, seeing super romantic stuff, dramatic scenes in movies. When stuff like this happens, my skin starts feeling tingly, I get kinda lightheaded, butterflies go in my stomach, and I feel awesome. Love it!

LowerThoseEyebrows · 2011-02-26T15:28:54-08:00

I have been having head orgasms simply because of reading this thread. I used to call it the 'Shivers'. Jimi Hendrix songs used to trigger them especially the solo in Are You Experienced?

prognoob · 2011-02-26T18:35:06-08:00

just the process of learning that these have a name, triggered them for me.

npj · 2011-02-26T19:12:45-08:00

Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians does it for me every time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA2YrlfEe6Y

hoojabobba · 2011-02-26T21:19:38-08:00

Created my first account to reply to this. If you're not one of the lucky people that gets these naturally when learning (I wish I was), I've found that it's possible to trigger the sensation on command with the right kind of focus and breathing.

Here's what happened to me: I was trying to memorize some random facts that were very important to me but could never seem to remember. I thought offhand, "Man, it'd be cool if orgasms were for important stuff like this." After trying and failing a couple days in a row to remember everything completely, I finally did.

At the exact moment of realization, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and imagined the feeling of goosebumps/elation/orgasm. I felt a slight tingle down my spine and/or on the top of my legs and focused on that feeling. After doing so, the feeling immediately came back stronger, and by continuing to inhale deeply and focus on the sensations it caused a kind of cascading effect that soon engulfed my whole body.

The idea that I had seemed to cause the sensation from pure thought made it even stronger, and hit me several times over the course of maybe half a minute. After it was over I opened my eyes, lightheaded and kind of dumbfounded.

Needless to say, I recommend trying it. It's pretty amazing. I can't say for sure whether it's helped my learning by any quantitative amount, but hey, why not? Just sitting here typing out this description and considering the details I've gotten the 'mindgasms' around 10 or so times. Worth it.

AppleCola · 2011-02-26T21:33:54-08:00

I get this anytime I hear or watch someone getting praise. A concert with a lot of applause and whistling, a mother telling her child how good he did...goosebumps, and often tears. Not bad tears, just a really happy emotional tightness.

Mortimer1736 · 2011-02-26T21:51:02-08:00

Bob Ross does it for me every time.

VotumSeparatum · 2011-02-26T22:46:44-08:00

Sesame St. videos/animation shorts scored by Philip Glass EDIT: aaand I just randomly came across this. Thanks, internet.

Rob1987 · 2011-02-27T08:37:20-08:00

This is my favourite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geLtFCxDs40

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