Chewing Sounds Relax Some People??

Similar to most college students, I procrastinate or unwind by binge watching Netflix and this week I found some strange but very interesting episodes in a Netflix Original series. The first episode of the series, "Follow This", discusses Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). Scaachi Koul from Buzzfeed explores what it is that gives the individuals who enjoy this type of stimulus the “tingles”, waves of euphoria, or head orgasm that relieves their stress. After trying to contact medical professionals about this topic and realizing that there is little to no research on ASMR, Scaachi goes to see how the ASMR YouTuber, Gentle Whispering ASMR, with the most subscribers and views makes her videos. Scaachi gets a behind the scenes look into making a video and they also discuss their feelings towards the sounds and some of the science or point behind doing it. Some people relate these videos to porn, but the people Scaachi spoke to say that it typically isn't but some might. Making the videos is more about helping others relax. The most interesting part of the show was when Scaachi went to an in person ASMR experience. At this experience she got to hear and feel the sounds and feelings that are showcased in the YouTube videos many people, like herself watch to unwind. After going through it all, she said the tingles she normally feels from watching the videos weren’t really there during the experience. She described it as the worst but best thing she’s ever gone through. Some of the things in these videos include whispering, mouth noises, crinkling bags, makeup brushes lightly brushed on your skin, misting spray on the face and more. Some people find these videos very relaxing, while others, like myself, think they are cringe worthy or do nothing at all. I am able to see how this could be soothing and help with insomnia or stress for some people (if they are in to hearing people chew food). It was a very intriguing episode and definitely different than what I expected to see from this show.