Janik McErlean, A.B, Walsh, J, Katie, N and Paige-Shannon, H (2026) 'The modulatory effects of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) on pain.' PAIN Reports, 11 (5). e1487.
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Abstract
Introduction: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a cross-sensory phenomenon experienced by an estimated 20% of the population and characterised by a calming, pleasurable tingling sensation triggered by audio–visual or tactile stimuli. Prior work suggests that ASMR experiencers show heightened pain sensitivity but similar pain tolerance to nonexperiencers, and emerging evidence points to possible analgesic effects. Objectives: This study sought to replicate and extend these findings using a larger sample, pain threshold as an index of pain perception, and sex as a variable. Methods: Male and female ASMR experiencers (N = 20) and controls (N = 20) completed algometer testing at baseline, during an ASMR-inducing video, and during a control video. Pain thresholds and visual analogue pain ratings were collected, and participants reported whether they experienced ASMR tingling in each condition. Results: ASMR experiencers reported higher pain ratings than controls (P = 0.017) but showed comparable pain thresholds (P = 0.963). Among ASMR experiencers, experiencing tingles was associated with increased pain threshold (P = 0.012). Women overall exhibited lower thresholds (P = 0.001) and showed no condition-related changes, whereas men demonstrated increased thresholds during both videos (P = 0.009, P = 0.007), suggesting a distraction-related buffering effect for men. Descriptively, male ASMR experiencers mirrored this pattern, while female ASMR experiencers showed elevated thresholds only during the ASMR video. Conclusion: These findings indicate that ASMR may modulate pain perception and that sex differences influence pain-related responses. They highlight ASMR's potential as an analgesic mechanism and underscore the importance of incorporating sex as a factor in future ASMR pain research.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| UN SDGs: | Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being |
| Keywords: | ASMR, autonomous sensory meridian response, pain, pain appraisal, pain threshold, sex differences, pain processing |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology |
| Divisions: | School of Sciences |
| Research Centres and Groups: | Psychology Research Centre for Health and Cognition |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Aug 2026 11:44 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Aug 2026 11:44 |
| ISSN: | 2471-2531 |
| URN: | https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17904 |
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