World Sleep Day 2025: C...

Posted By

Pallavi Mehra

Date

March 14, 2025

Category

Blogs

World Sleep Day 2025: Can ASMR Be The Ultimate Sleep Hack? These Odd Noises Are Helping People Snooze! Here's How (Image Credits: iStock)

Dozing off is a challenge for most, but some have found an unorthodox yet effective means to achieve sleep: ASMR. This internet-driven phenomenon involves calming sounds and whispers that bring about a tingling sensation, inducing relaxation and sleepiness. While ASMR is commonly associated with soft voices and tapping sounds, some of the strangest noises have ironically been found to help people fall asleep faster.

How ASMR Impacts the Brain ASMR stimulates a soothing and calming reaction within the brain. When individuals hear certain sounds, their nervous system relaxes, their heart rate slows, and stress is reduced. Many ASMR enthusiasts report feeling a tingling sensation, typically starting at the scalp and moving down the spine. This sensation is often likened to the way a lullaby comforts a baby. Research has shown that ASMR helps improve sleep quality by reducing anxiety and triggering melatonin secretion, which regulates sleep.

Dr Aditya Gupta, Director- Neurosurgery and Cyberknife, Artemis Hospital Gurugram explains, "ASMR can be a powerful tool for relaxation. The brain's response to these triggers can mirror the effects of meditation, leading to lower stress levels and enhanced sleep quality. While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, ASMR has been linked to the release of endorphins and oxytocin, which promote calmness and reduce cortisol levels."

The Weird Sounds That Are Putting People Asleep

Dr Gupta explains that as much as ASMR fans love whispers and rain sounds, others have become enamoured with unexpected noises that surprisingly help them doze off faster.

Page-Turning and Book Tapping – Flicking pages with fingers or softly tapping a book cover has been reported to induce sleep almost instantly. The rhythmic sound can be hypnotic, especially for book lovers.

Scalp Scratching and Hair Brushing – ASMR enthusiasts claim that the sound of a brush running through hair or nails scratching the scalp gently replicates the experience of a relaxing head massage.

Bubble Wrap Popping – Paradoxically, slowly and gently popping bubble wrap has been found to have a calming effect, possibly due to the anticipation and minor bursts of sound.

Mouth Noises – While eating sounds can be annoying in real life, ASMR triggers such as slow chewing or lip-smacking have been known to help some people unwind and fall asleep.

Mechanical Keyboard Clicking and Pen Scratching – The rhythmic typing of a mechanical keyboard or the soft scratch of a pen on paper can be intensely soothing.

Vacuum or White Noise Sounds – The steady hum of a vacuum cleaner or white noise machine helps mask distractions and creates a cocoon-like atmosphere for better sleep.

Glass or Ceramic Tapping – Light tapping on glass or ceramic surfaces produces soft, repetitive sounds that some people find incredibly soothing.

Link Between ASMR and Sleep

Dr Tushar Raut, Consultant, Neurology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai shares, "A study published in PLOS One found that ASMR can lower heart rate and increase relaxation, similar to meditation. Among people with sleep disorders, ASMR has been noted to alleviate stress, anxiety, and muscle tension. Neurologists also see its benefits beyond sleep—helping with anxiety, tension headaches, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)."

More Unusual ASMR Sounds That Help People Sleep Faster

Dr Raut shares that beyond traditional ASMR sounds like whispering and tapping, some unexpected noises have gained popularity:

Mic Scratching and Brushing – Running fingers over a microphone or brushing it with soft materials like foam or silicone creates a deeply relaxing effect.

Sounds of Eating and Chewing – Some people find the sound of crunching, sipping tea, or slurping noodles strangely soothing, though it can trigger misophonia in others.

Tapping and Light Knocking Noises – Gentle tapping on wood, glass, or ceramic creates a rhythmic, calming effect that helps quiet racing thoughts.

Plastic Crinkling and Bubble Wrap Popping – The soft crinkle of plastic bags or the slow popping of bubble wrap can elicit a soothing ASMR response in certain individuals.

Haircut and Scalp Massage Sounds – The snipping of scissors, the buzz of clippers, or the simulation of a scalp massage can evoke a relaxing sensation.

Whispered Storytelling and Soft Speaking – Whispered bedtime stories or softly spoken words can lull listeners into a deeply relaxed state.

Should You Try ASMR for Sleep?

If you struggle with falling asleep, ASMR might be worth exploring. Though it doesn’t work for everyone, millions swear by its effectiveness. Platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and ASMR-specific apps provide countless triggers, allowing users to find the sounds that work best for them.

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