About a year ago I stumbled across the experience of ASMR through a free Audible book. I was enthralled. I searched Audible for ASMR to relax me and to sleep by, but I couldn’t find any more of what I craved.
I remember the moment it occurred to me to check YouTube. I was in heaven! A virtual cornucopia of ASMR. Everything from the sounds of rain on a window to a virtual salon appointment with a whispering hairdresser.
I discovered later that the trend is popular with younger generations – they’ve been watching ASMR on YouTube for more than a decade. My teenaged son is a fan, and he and I frequently send each other links to our favorites videos and ASMRtists.
Hence, the lists I share now are my favorites for the middle-aged crowd. After a long and stressful day of work, the Generation X mid-lifer could use some ASMR relief for relaxation and sleep inducement.
Read: 20 Haikus that only Generation X will understand
What is ASMR?
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It is the feeling of chills you get down your neck and back in response to an auditory stimulus.
The term was coined in 2010 so it is a relatively new concept, and videos have been trending on YouTube ever since.
To learn more about what ASMR is, visit the Wikipedia page here.
How does ASMR relieve stress?
The tingling sensation ASMR produces is the trigger for stress relief, as well as other beneficial sensations and feelings. People who watch ASMR videos will report feelings of relaxation, reduced stress, improved mood, and even pain relief. Most people who watch ASMR videos are specifically using them for help falling asleep or to battle insomnia.
A 2017 study examining neural activity during ASMR found that people experiencing ASMR showed less functional brain connectivity while demonstrating increased connectivity in regions of the brain associated with the resting state. This study seems to confirm anecdotal reports that ASMR produces a relaxed state.
Read: How to have a midlife crisis without ruining your life
ASMR variations on YouTube
There is no shortage of ASMR videos, artists, and variations on YouTube.
My personal favorites are personal attention roleplay videos. I enjoy receiving a haircut or having my makeup done most of all. There are also doctor’s visits, eye exams, lice checks, and manicures. A virtual ear exam or ear cleaning can be really interesting and relaxing because of the close-up sounds in the ears (be sure to use headphones!).
Some videos will focus purely on sound, with little or no talking or music. These videos will include sounds like scratching, crinkling, tapping, blowing, buzzing, or sticking. ASMRtists are excellent at discovering new sounds and new ways to generate tingles.
There is also ASMR ambiance. This is a video style presenting a still or slightly moving picture, with the sounds of the environment as the focus. The video may feature a beach, forest, or treehouse. It may be a coffee shop or a library. Perhaps a Victorian carriage ride or a haunted mansion. The possibilities are endless, as is the list of available ambiance videos.
Top ASMR YouTube channels
Below are my personal favorites for various categories. There are so many great ones, I’m certainly not touching on all the best.
What are your favorites? Share them in the comments!
Best Realistic Roleplay – Female Voice
This is my go-to category, so I have no shortage of personal favorites. I could probably name an additional ten.
Be Brave Be You ASMR
Be Brave is my hands-down favorite for roleplay. I usually watch her new videos on the day they drop. She is so realistic in her roleplay and the way she interacts with the watcher; it feels like you’re really there. And her sounds are tingly and spot-on for realism.
Gentle Whispering ASMR
While Be Brave always provides a realistic business or clinical setting, Gentle Whispering always makes you feel like you’re with your best friend or favorite relative. Her videos are particularly relaxing because of how calm and welcome you feel in her presence. On top of that, she is realistic in her interactions and her videos are top of the line in quality.
Myaling ASMR
I never make it to the end of a Myaling video before falling asleep. I especially love her makeup roleplay videos. There is something about her soft, delicate voice that is extraordinarily calming. She also takes her videos to the next level with deliciously tingly cutaways for close-up sounds.
Moonlight Cottage ASMR
Moonlight Cottage is on a level all her own. She is great with roleplay and always adds in awesome cutaways. Her vintage and steampunk environments make her unique. Feel like an Old-World makeover with vintage hair and makeup styles? This one is for you.
Starling ASMR
Don’t be distracted by her beauty, she is great at roleplay ASMR! Starling gives the most realistic haircuts in the business. And she is so personable in her interactions with the screen. Her little laughs and jokes make you feel like you’ve known her for years. Very calming.
Best Realistic Roleplay – Male Voice
Sometimes a male voice is what you need in the evening. Whether it’s the best friend you love to hang out with after a long day, or a sultry, smooth voice to put you right to sleep, the men know how to roleplay.
Certified Mood ASMR
Like Starling, Certified Mood is more than just eye-candy. Like so many others that are great at roleplay videos, his voice and interaction make you feel like you’re with your best friend. He will also often add messages of support and inspiration, just like your best friend would.
FredsVoice ASMR
Fred’sVoice is pure velvet! His roleplays are fun and relaxing but there is one very specific reason to watch his videos: THAT VOICE. His smooth Australian accent threatens to put you right to sleep. This one should definitely be on your watch list.
Whispering Gentleman ASMR
Another smooth, sensual voice that is heaven to fall asleep to. Whispering Gentleman does ASMR that soothes the soul. He makes long, complete videos that put you fully in the mood to accept what he is offering: A tingly, sultry cloud of relaxation.
Most Fun Roleplay
Sometimes, after a long, stressful workday, the last thing you need is seriousness. How about having a little ASMR fun? For me, when silly is what I’m after, I go for a little comedy ASMR, usually in the form of a “worst-reviewed” roleplay style. These ladies are the best in that genre.
Annura’s ASMR
Annura does fantastic roleplay and absolutely belongs in the Best Of category. But nobody does the Rude Makeup Artist quite like her. Her ASMR is sophisticated and is great visually, as well. All of her videos are great, but her ‘Worst-Reviewed’ style videos are uncomfortably hilarious.
Megan Dominique ASMR
You can’t talk about fun roleplay without Megan Dominique. Comedy is her genre, and she rules it. If you want to chuckle non-stop while catching some tingles, this channel should be your number one.
Relaxing Sleep ASMR
Relaxing Sleep likes to have fun with her videos. She is a character creator. She does standard roleplay styles as well, but she seems to really enjoy adding a little silliness and those are my favorites videos of hers. Make sure to check out her ‘Worst-Reviewed’ videos as well as her Grandma character.
Best Pure Tingles ASMR
If you’re after tingles sans talking, there is no shortage on YouTube. While reading, studying, or just relaxing, try adding some no-talking ASMR.
ASMR Bakery
For me, this is the tingliest of the tingliest ASMR. Bakery uses random items and excellent sound quality to deliver the goods. When I don’t want roleplay, this one is my go-to. It’s perfect for keeping me relaxed and focused during studying and writing sessions.
ASMR Zeitgeist
ASMR Zeitgeist has to be the most sophisticated ASMR on the internet. It is visually stunning. Honestly, the production quality is astounding. For me, this channel produces some of the best tingles of any ASMR I’ve encountered.
Best Random ASMR
Sometimes you’re not sure what kind of ASMR you’re in the mood for. These three do it all. You’ll get the roleplays and the pure tingle videos, but that’s not all. These guys are creative. From drawing on skin to growing sound sprouts to encountering a “nice” kidnapper, you won’t know what to expect. Except for excellent ASMR.
Ephemeral Rift ASMR
Creative is the best word to describe this channel. While many ASMRtists will stick to proven video ideas, Ephemeral Rift is completely unique. He copies no one and no one can copy him. There are no shortages of surprises, characters, and tingles. This channel has it all.
Marno ASMR
Marno has been one of my favorites since day one. He belongs in the Fun category, as well. He has a comedy streak to go with his creativity. But most of all, he delivers some excellent tingles. This guy knows how it’s done.
Gibi ASMR
No Best of ASMR list is complete without Gibi. She does fantastic, very realistic roleplay, as well, but I put her in this category because of how clever and unique her list of videos is. She is willing to experiment with her style so you should definitely visit her channel when you want something you’ve never seen before. It is obvious she is experienced in producing tingles because she makes some of the best.
Best Eating ASMR
It’s not for everyone, but I love eating ASMR. I’ve always enjoyed the sights and sounds of eating. If you like ASMR and you like Mukbang videos, why not combine them into a super relaxing experience!
Eat with Boki
Boki is the absolute queen of eating ASMR, no contest. The production quality of her videos is primo, both in sight and sound. She somehow manages to make enormous bites and noodle slurping look dainty. If you like the sounds of eating and drinking, this is your go-to.
Hunnibee ASMR
Hunnibee combines the eating aspect of ASMR with more traditional styles. She plays with her food, if you will. Her videos are also visually appealing, using color themes similar to ASMR Zeitgeist. Her personality comes out in her videos, too, reminding you of your favorite fun friend.
Morpheus ASMR
I love watching Morpheus videos. He is so relatable, it’s like eating dinner with your favorite neighbor. His videos are less dramatically produced than Boki and Hunnibee, which just adds to the sense of having a relaxing meal with a friend. Also adding to his relatability are his meals. They aren’t fancy or large. They might be what you’re eating! He is very focused on the experience of his watcher making his videos a must-try.
Best ASMR Ambiance
It’s easy to forget about ambiance but you mustn’t. There is nothing better than reading or falling asleep to the sounds of a raging storm or a crackling fireplace. But you don’t have to stop there. What about the sounds of a witch’s greenhouse or a distant Hobbiton festival? Try some of these great ambiance channels.
Miracle Forest
Miracle Forest is my favorite for ambiance. If you want something realistic, like swamp sounds, they have it. If you want fantasy sounds, like an underwater study room, they have that, too. Right now, in the month of October, they are releasing lots of spooky videos, which I really enjoy while reading a horror book. Definitely put Miracle Forest on the top of your ambiance list.
Teravibe
Teravibe is another great immersive ASMR channel. Their budget for production value must be extensive. With clever environments and eye-catching visuals, you’ve got to put this one on your list.
Autumn Cozy
I’ve really been digging this channel lately, especially during the fall months. This channel has a way of capturing everything great about Autumn. The falling leaves, the bright mornings, cooling weather, and the festivals and magic of the season. This channel is super relaxing.
If you haven’t tried ASMR on YouTube yet, give some of these channels a listen. I think you’ll be surprised at their ability to relieve stress, improve your mood and even put you to sleep.
If you are an ASMR connoisseur, but maybe you’ve overlooked one or more of these channels, try them out! Also, share in the comments your favorites. I definitely don’t want to miss any great ones.