I have ASMR. Or maybe the correct phrasing is that I'm susceptible to ASMR. It's tough to talk about the phenomenon, because ASMR lacks the mandatory scientific evidence that proves, well, its existence. And if it does exist, what the hell is it anyway?
A group of people have taken to the internet to discuss, examine, and enjoy a shared pleasurable sensory experience triggered by specific sounds. Not every person has the same stimulants. Some people get a tingle on their neck when they hear a soft whisper, others feel a tickle on their brain when the sound of scissors clipping hair gets close to their ear.
Much of the evidence of ASMR is anecdotal, so consider this episode one of the least scientifically sound of the bunch. But the more people learn about ASMR, the more people might discover they share this unusual attribute. That's why I invited my pal, The Verge Senior Editor Ross Miller, to explain the rise in awareness of autonomous sensory meridian response.