Remember when were kids and we’d sit in school auditoriums, asking our friends to trace figures with their fingers on our backs? Or when your grandma would stroke your hair, as you sat on her lap? Remember how it made you feel? Well, that’s ASMR is all about.
Autonomous sensory meridian response is commonly described as a tingly, relaxing feeling that starts from your scalp and goes down your spine. This reaction can be caused by certain stimuli–like whispering; slow, soft-spoken words; someone playing with your hair; the sound of soft makeup brushes scratching a microphone; receiving a massage… you get the drift. Someone clearly realised that there are far too many sleep-deprived insomniacs and stressed-out people looking for a way to unwind and relax before bedtime, because ASMR has insidiously taken over the world of YouTube.
Weird and wonderful as it is, ASMR videos are proof that we all need to be babied, whispered to, and stroked like children–even as adults. As physical human interactions decrease in the age of social media and anxieties prevent people from being able to sleep or rest, it’s interesting how innovative new ways to cope all this are coming up, giving everyone much-needed respite.
So, if you’re new to the world of ASMR, are looking for new channels to follow, or are interested in exploring different artists and their methods–here are some must-follow ASMR artists on YouTube who will lull you to the most peaceful sleep of your life!
WhispersRed ASMR
Emma Smith’s mellow whispers put millions to sleep in different ways. Her British accent narrates everything from fruit-cutting to hair-brushing to massages in a way that is sure to make you feel warm, cosy, and ready for bed. A survivor of PTSD, she comforts many with her quiet and calm words. If you love hair-related ASMR, you’re going to love this channel.
Tena ASMR
Makeup lovers who just can’t get some shuteye are going to love this beauty-centric ASMR channel. Tena can un-box makeup with ASMR triggers, she can do makeup role-plays using brushes being swirled in front of the camera, and she even uses her long acrylic nails to do some very tingly mic-scratching. Word-repetition–especially words like relax, tingle, and other soft coos are her signature–making her videos a softly-whispered tour of basic beauty. Though may not be able to watch her lip-swatch video to the very end, because it’s very hard not to doze off as it plays. The best part is that she usually keeps her backgrounds dark, so your eyes feel more rested and ready for shut-eye.
Cosmic Tingles
One of the most popular ASMR accounts, Kayla’s channel is all about softly-whispered stories, supported by soothing background sounds. An expert at role-play ASMR–be it playing doctor, Reiki healer, a nurse, or a nerve examiner– her approach to sleep relaxation is about creating a relaxing environment. Think of it as having a lucid dream while you’re awake?
Gentle Whispering
One of the first people to start ASMR, Maria–the woman behind this channel–has been a pioneer in this artistic field and has over a million YouTube subscribers. From roleplays to relaxing sounds and triggers to tingly hair tutorials–she is the OG who engages in different kinds of products. She once even told a website that she gets thousands of messages from survivors of PTSD, teenagers under pressure, and stressed-out single mothers who need an outlet to calm down.
Olivia Kissper
A deeper, more spiritual ASMR guide–Kissper’s channel is not just about sleeping, but about meditation, relaxation, and overall healing. She has a degree in psychology and is qualified to instruct people on relaxation, making her a pretty solid guide when it comes to meditating or feeling more tranquil even when you’re not looking to fall asleep right away (although there’s a good chance you will).
RaffyTaphy ASMR
You might never suspect that the man behind this channels helps millions of people fall asleep with his soothing whispers, but it’s true! His soft-spoken words and gentle tapping will make you feel like you’re being transported to a fairy forest. Even though he is a sporadic uploader and he doesn’t do this full-time, following him is worth it because his videos almost never have ads in-between them to loudly interrupt your peaceful slumber.
