AUTONOMOUS SENSORY MERIDIAN RESPONSE (ASMR): IMPACT AND TEMPORAL CHANGES IN MOOD (PAKISTAN)

Abstract

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) offers a new healing haven to a wide range of people across all demographics. It started in 2010 as a community on social media platform called Facebook, now it has spread all around the world, offering a network of people who are looking for temporary options of stress release and relaxation from their phone screens and constant overflow of information. At this time, ASMR is helping people with its soft sounds, mumbles, and whispers. On apps like TikTok and Instagram, users are constantly being exposed to a minimum one kind of ASMR through algorithmic content such as slime videos, food eating videos and makeup ASMR etc. As they feel the tingling sensation and relaxation through this content, some users might feel they are dependent on it. It is crucial to recognize that individuals cannot de-stress or turn off their brains in a world where technology bombards people's daily lives with continuous information. This results in poor daily routines, sleep deprivation, and restlessness. ASMR offers a certain kind of content that helps users unwind and soothe themselves while enhancing their daily routines and giving them a break from the avalanche of information. The study aims to explore the widespread use of ASMR in Pakistan and how it affects users' mood, specifically focusing on whether these changes have a more positive or negative effect. The study's ultimate goal is to encourage future researchers and designers to look at the effects of ASMR in Pakistan.