ASMR is a genuine biological relaxation tool that activates the brain's resting and reward areas, slows the heart rate by engaging the parasympathetic system, and promotes relaxation and sleep through the release of feel-good molecules (dopamine, oxytocin) and the reduction of stress.

noli's read

The relaxing effect of ASMR is based on fascinating scientific foundations, though certain nuances warrant consideration. A laboratory study published in *PLOS One* by researcher Giulia Poerio (2018) indeed measured a real decrease in heart rate among individuals sensitive to ASMR, confirming the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system dedicated to rest. Furthermore, a functional MRI (fMRI) study conducted by Bryson Lochte and his team in the journal *BioImpacts* (2018) shows activation of brain regions linked to reward and soft attention during phases of tingling. However, the direct release of hormones such as oxytocin or dopamine, as well as the reduction of cortisol, remain theoretical hypotheses put forward by experts like Dr. Craig Richard. No rigorous clinical study has yet measured these hormonal variations directly in saliva or blood during an ASMR session. Finally, as the creator wisely points out, this sensitivity is highly personal: research confirms that a large portion of the population is not receptive to it or may even experience annoyance.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.