It is not a Head Orgasm...Pervs

Originally posted by awakendhybrid
reply to post by piequal3because14

 

Hmmm...I diffidently see a lot of people explaining it as an emotional, empathic or esoteric event, but I just can't always agree because mine seem mundane and rather selfish.

Here, I will give an example of one of my strongest experiences:
I used to work at a thrift shop. One of my favorite parts of the job was assisting those who wanted to look at something in the display cases. They were probably annoyed that I was acting like a clingy salesperson, but when they wandered over to investigate I was right there waiting to see if they wanted me to take anything out for them. Something about them studying all those little things, making decisions, leisurely hashing it out with the person next to them just put my brain on full-buzz. To me anyway, there just doesn't seem to be anything particularly expansive about that reaction.

Hahaha Nah, it's the same thing I get without doubt.

I wish I could recall a good example, but it's the same thing. As they fiddle or poke at and whisper, the scalp goes Weeeeeee and it's like a freebie..

And then they walk off and it tapers off, almost like it's subtly throbbing.. or like you've just had your entire head in a hair dryer.

Why did you do this to me!!! I was content to not know I was experiencing something inexplicable. Now I am strangely concerned I'm not alone with it and that others, liker me, can't put the finger on the thing.

I know I can't get it from youtube videos tho, it's usually the intent behind the action... I can't get it from people on purpose. If they know I'm observing, it's not allowed to happen, or it seems that way.

People with quirks... who are harmless and quiet, but doing something quirky.. like pursing their lips and it makes their entire face do a cats bum, and they don't realise it...

I dunno, one less layer of unique strangeness on the old mental manual over here.. infinity more to go.

I get this when playing in an orchestra and we play a particularly moving (to me) piece of music. It's an incredible feeling.

I've also felt something similar when I was younger and considered it a religious experience. Just because religious experience was the only name I had for it, and it generally occurred during a particularly moving worship service. Although, now that I think about it, it was always the music that did it for me.

S I guess I get it from certain musical experiences.

Very interesting, OP!

Why did you do this to me!!! I was content to not know I was experiencing something inexplicable. I dunno, one less layer of unique strangeness on the old mental manual over here.

reply to post by winofiend

Aww I'm sorry. I guess not everyone can be amazed and excited to find out they are not alone as I was. Considering it hasn't been scientifically proven yet I would still say it is pretty unique.
I still haven't met anyone in-person though who experiences it. I saw a map once (just the U.S. if I remember correctly) that someone was putting together of all the people on the Facebook group with ASMR and everyone was evenly dispersed--rather eery actually.

reply to post by smyleegrl

Ah yes, I know exactly what you're talking about. I actually forgot to mention music. It is extremely similar and for a few it is their best trigger.
From my personal experiences though there are slight, but telling differences. The biggest one is the duration. For me it would occur during the peak of a piece, or a hanging note or silence or just a part that I personally loved, but only for those moments. Now that I think about it that musically-triggered sensation at its height is actually a lot stronger than ASMR and I probably couldn't handle more than a moment of it. When someone or something triggers ASMR in me though it will likely last the entire duration of that event unless something happens to distract me.
Some can hang onto it as long as they want or even call it without triggers...I've rarely gone over 10 minutes.

Another major difference is the direction of the sensation. Again this is only my personal experience, but when it is from music it usually moves UP from the base of my spine and into my head whereas ASMR starts in my head and will only travel down my spine and into my arms and legs if it is particularly strong.

Originally posted by awakendhybrid
reply to post by Silcone Synapse

 

No, it is more similar to the feeling you get when someone runs their fingers through your hair or when you get a spontaneous shiver except that it pulses through your head in elongated waves and can last several minutes.

Thank you for that link though. It references a lot of the original stuff that started this whole online community. I like how it speaks of the 'live', face-to-face aspect of ASMR. One thing I don't like about all these videos popping up is that it makes it seem as though it is ONLY the videos that creates this response and that the videos are the BEST way to do so. To me at least, they are only a quick-fix substitute for witnessing those kinds of details in real life.

Also, you don't think 'head orgasm' will turn enough heads?

Still have never felt this feeling even through countless hours of trying. I mean soft talking is calming, but an orgasmic feeling? Still, I don't doubt ASMR that much, as I can relate to the feeling. Sucking my finger calms me down immensely, unfortunately. To this day, it is a pain to fall asleep, but since I'm older I try not to do it, but it is the easiest way for me to fall asleep.

At least it's alot more verifiable than astral projection.

reply to post by mr10k

Well, I would suggest that if you were trying to see if you could experience it the youtube videos are not the best place to start. Try going to a book store or something and just see how you feel when you're around them while they are intently shopping. Or maybe have your partner (if you have one) "paint" across your back with their finger.

One of my goofier triggers is sometimes when I'm on the phone with some sort of rep who has to type in my information or look something up on their end and I can hear the typing or the shuffling...during those times I'll gladly stay on the phone no matter how annoying the reason for the phone call might be. Even over the phone though, I believe it is the intend and that 'in-person' interaction that counts.

I think it is cool that you are trying though and I think if would be really cool if someone could get ASMR going while being fairly certain they had not every experienced it before...cuz you cannot really account for a memory of at as a baby.

Here, I will give an example of one of my strongest experiences: I used to work at a thrift shop. One of my favorite parts of the job was assisting those who wanted to look at something in the display cases. They were probably annoyed that I was acting like a clingy salesperson, but when they wandered over to investigate I was right there waiting to see if they wanted me to take anything out for them. Something about them studying all those little things, making decisions, leisurely hashing it out with the person next to them just put my brain on full-buzz. To me anyway, there just doesn't seem to be anything particularly expansive about that reaction.

(non expansive) do you mean your reaction to them, or theirs to the display case?

heh.. reading your post kind of made me feel the way you were describing of watching the customers at the display case ...to me, the joy(?) is watching the other person just express themselves naturally, i can imagine you typing out your response in one go (free flowing, natural) ...a bit like the people who were at the display case. you said it was a thrift shop, i find these akin to antique shops, etc (you never know what you'll find in a thrift shop)

this was a pleasant change from reading about clones and reptiles

this was a pleasant change from reading about clones and reptiles

reply to post by UNIT76

I'm glad I could give your brain a little break from the typical ATS humdrum
You seem quite perceptive.

Some believe ASMR is esoteric or evolutionary in nature. They talk of being super-empathic, creative and spiritual. Maybe it is evolutionary in the sense of a remnant, pack-like reaction (think primate social grooming or maybe cat purring), but I'm not sure I would consider it as some official step-up...not that I wouldn't mind that.

I gave the example I did to show just how mundane a typical trigger is. Forget about being highly empathic--for all I know I was taking something away from them by hanging around feeling my tingles at their expense.

I've even considered that it is related to our personal electrical fields and that I am somehow siphoning or entangling into theirs somehow....though that is the first time I've worded it that harshly.

I have known about this since I was a little kid, but I always assumed it was a personal thing. A couple of years ago I heard about ASMR and began reading what little information was available, and that is when I learned that I am not the only one to experience this weird happening. I remember it happened to me more when I was younger, such as when in the classroom, where all the students are working, and the teacher is trying to explain something to you and is whispering to you at your desk. That was something that happened to me occasionally that I remember.

But now it is very rare for me. Some of those ASMR videos on Youtube will work sometimes, but I find that it depends on what state of mind I am in. Often they just relax me, but sometimes I will get that tingly feeling that I remember. I do not know if any scientists are studying this at the moment, but I'm sure they eventually will. There MUST be something about the human brain that explains this in depth, and I would be interested to learn what that is.

reply to post by Theflyingweldsman


Bob Ross, yes!!.I remember watching his shows and just hearing his voice would put me at peace.If anyone wanted the same effect just watch Bob Ross.R.I.P brother.

reply to post by awakendhybrid


My first thoughts were that I've obviously never experienced it, and I wonder what it feels like. But after reading the Wikipedia page on it, I realise what its talking about. I have had that feeling in my scalp, I associated it with goosebumps and have wondered if my hairs stick up when it happens.

I am male, so its not just females that this happens in, but at least with me I wouldn't call it an orgasm, more like goosebumps, but I'm almost certain thats the feeling were talking about though. Nothing to do with drugs or sex either.

Then again maybe I'm talking about goosebumps on the scalp, and everyone else is talking about some intense feeling in the brain.

Originally posted by Kryties
I have personally experienced ASMR many times, I even have a few Youtube channels I subscribe to where the uploader specialises in making ASMR videos.

Share the link, it would be interesting to know if everyone gets similar feelings out of it, etc.

Originally posted by awakendhybrid
reply to post by calstorm

 

Wait...what happened? What did you feel that was so horrible?
Did you listen to nails on a chalkboard or something?

There are diffidently sounds and visuals I would consider painful. I also have Trypophobia so maybe those that experience ASMR are just more sensitive to some of their senses. It could also be related to synesthesia.

It is very hard to describe but it was a tingling tightness in the back of my head. It didn't hurt but it was an irritating sensation. Like when you get the chills down you spine but in the top and back of the scalp.
I just wanted to shake my head and get rid of it.

reply to post by JiggyPotamus

Yea I really hope someone in neuroscience or something has or will delve further into this. From what I understand, the research team of the second link in the OP is currently conducting experimental surveys and gathering data to present it for a grant to be studied. I don't personally know how that all works though.

Originally posted by calstorm

Originally posted by awakendhybrid
reply to post by calstorm

 

Wait...what happened? What did you feel that was so horrible?
Did you listen to nails on a chalkboard or something?

There are diffidently sounds and visuals I would consider painful. I also have Trypophobia so maybe those that experience ASMR are just more sensitive to some of their senses. It could also be related to synesthesia.

It is very hard to describe but it was a tingling tightness in the back of my head. It didn't hurt but it was an irritating sensation. Like when you get the chills down you spine but in the top and back of the scalp.
I just wanted to shake my head and get rid of it.

edit on 18-5-2013 by calstorm because: (no reason given)

Ah I gotcha. I just felt that a couple of hours ago. I would maybe liken that to an "unblossomed" response. Like, you got the very first part of it, but then if failed to wash over your scalp in a wave-like buzzy, tingly sensation. It just got stuck there and you felt like you wanted to rub it off.

Close or no cigar? If I'm right then you probably can develop it into the pleasurable sensation. Like I advised another poster though, real-life situations might be a better place to start than video simulations of the same if you are interested.

Originally posted by JiggyPotamus
I have known about this since I was a little kid, but I always assumed it was a personal thing.

Interesting that quite a few seemed to assume that it was personal. I always thought (even as a kid) that it was normal for everyone, along with all other feelings (sad/happy etc.)

Originally posted by JiggyPotamus
I do not know if any scientists are studying this at the moment, but I'm sure they eventually will. There MUST be something about the human brain that explains this in depth, and I would be interested to learn what that is.

The wikipedia page has several links, so there has been some research into it. Obviously getting something exact on what causes it and why would be difficult to study.

Originally posted by awakendhybrid

Why did you do this to me!!! I was content to not know I was experiencing something inexplicable. I dunno, one less layer of unique strangeness on the old mental manual over here.

reply to post by winofiend

 

Aww I'm sorry. I guess not everyone can be amazed and excited to find out they are not alone as I was. Considering it hasn't been scientifically proven yet I would still say it is pretty unique.
I still haven't met anyone in-person though who experiences it. I saw a map once (just the U.S. if I remember correctly) that someone was putting together of all the people on the Facebook group with ASMR and everyone was evenly dispersed--rather eery actually.

It's not that I don't find it very interesting, but now I've got to know more about it.. how can you search for something that until now, you thought was just a 'thing' in all the other 'things' that make it all something that only you experienced.

It's not even something that I had considered to look up. Or ever was a conscious thing in my mind.

Now.. Now... Now I'll never rest till I find some method of action. and worse... What if I never get it again now.. Oo

Originally posted by salainen
reply to post by awakendhybrid

 

My first thoughts were that I've obviously never experienced it, and I wonder what it feels like. But after reading the Wikipedia page on it, I realise what its talking about. I have had that feeling in my scalp, I associated it with goosebumps and have wondered if my hairs stick up when it happens.

I am male, so its not just females that this happens in, but at least with me I wouldn't call it an orgasm, more like goosebumps, but I'm almost certain thats the feeling were talking about though. Nothing to do with drugs or sex either.

Then again maybe I'm talking about goosebumps on the scalp, and everyone else is talking about some intense feeling in the brain.

Originally posted by Kryties
I have personally experienced ASMR many times, I even have a few Youtube channels I subscribe to where the uploader specialises in making ASMR videos.

Share the link, it would be interesting to know if everyone gets similar feelings out of it, etc.

It would have to be pretty crazy for mere goosebumps to be the cause of it, seeing as its how I describe to also, but I know goosebumps on my arms are nothing like it, similar sensation, but no 'bliss'.

But I do wonder if it's something that others feel and never notice and has been given a common name that simply never gets used as it's so vague.

It's always with things that are about to stop or could stop, and if there is an indication that it's not going to stop, it can bring the waves on even more.

in a way it's almost like trying to describe the feeling of a good yawn. how do you relate the feeling in the context of the yawn and not have people going "He breaths funny and it feels good? what a fruit cake."

To make a long story short, I'm on SSRI's and when I started taking them I got the "feeling". I have had it previously to taking SSRI's but I am not at liberty to elaborate. I feel it deep in the back behind my eyes, in "the middle" of my head in between my ears and a lot of the times I also feel it at the base of my Cerebellum, granted the feeling radiates throughout my entire self, I feel the most intensity in my head piece.

All that I can say is that I believe that dopamine and serotonin are some key components into this "feeling" of "ecstasy", in a sense.

reply to post by awakendhybrid


The intentional videos usually don't work for me either. I liked your indian hair one, though.

I can relate to the water whisperer, because she reminds me of someone who had that effect on me.

It's definitely not sexual, though. Lots of people get this feeling from music,

Then it is called an eargasm. Wiktionary

The video was only to show the european perspective on ASMR.

I didn't expect you to get tingles from it

I just liked how they held themselves and won over the interviewers.

Tfw.

Originally posted by winofiend
It would have to be pretty crazy for mere goosebumps to be the cause of it, seeing as its how I describe to also, but I know goosebumps on my arms are nothing like it, similar sensation, but no 'bliss'.

But I do wonder if it's something that others feel and never notice and has been given a common name that simply never gets used as it's so vague.

What I meant was that I associated it with goosebumps more than anything else that I could think of, and I would have never have called it an orgasm.

Calling it "Autonomous sensory meridian response", or saying its like a brain orgasm might make people not realise that they've actually experienced this themselves, its not some medical condition or anything. I think everyone experiences it, just in slightly different ways, and different intensities, and since its not easy to describe not everyone realises what it is.