People spend over $90 at spas trying to relax for an hour or two and ease their stress. While there are many home relaxation techniques one can use such as facial masks and aromatherapy, there is an even simpler method that comes at no cost, and can be used over and over again: autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR). The only equipment one needs is a phone, earbuds and an internet connection.

Sounds, ranging from scratching a chalkboard to a pop song from the 2000s, can trigger a variety of emotional responses. ASMR is a response to collections of sounds, amplified by a microphone, designed to provoke sensations of “tingles” all over the body. The best way to describe this is that it is similar to the sensation felt when one’s hair is played with. Its psychological workings remain a mystery due to a lack of scientific research.

The most popular forum for the ASMR community is YouTube. There are hundreds of ASMR videos available to watch, each containing different sets of “triggers.” Triggers are sounds that stimulate the tingling sensation. The most common ones are soft whispering and tapping on surfaces. All of the videos are typically formatted the same: the narrator films themselves speaking into a three-dimensional (3D) binaural microphone designed after a pair of human ears, sometimes utilizing various props such as pens or scalp massagers (the clicking of a pen and  brushing of the massager may trigger someone’s ASMR).

The growing online presence of ASMR has attracted mainstream companies like Dove Chocolate and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) along with others to partner with ASMR YouTube channels or even make their very own ASMR commercial.

Outside of the internet, ASMR has become a genuine way of life for people. In November, popular ASMR YouTuber Heather Feather moved out of her apartment and spent nearly all of her personal savings purchasing a house with a large basement in order to convert it into a personal recording studio for her videos. Later in the month, an ASMR “spa” opened in Brooklyn, aptly titled The Whisperlodge. The experience is much like watching a video at home, with the exception that you actually have a person whispering into your ears.

ASMR is subjective and varies from person to person. Some may not even feel any tingles and think it is strange to listen to a person brushing their hair or tapping their nails. For those who do experience ASMR, it has been shown to help treat anxiety and sleep disorders. This is a game changer for some who have been struggling to stay healthy for years. All in all, the videos are just meant to make people feel relaxed and happy. The internet has its quirks, but even its peculiarness can have a positive impact.