Frequently Asked Questions

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Different people have responses to different ASMR stimuli, but physical touch is the most popular trigger, affecting 98% of people. 

While the gentle "clink" of makeup brushes, scratching of fingernails on the sheets, quiet sounds of the brush flowing through your hair, and soft background music may offer more auditory stimulus, my focus at TLC ASMR is specific to light touch.

I love words, but I’ve found there just aren’t words to really explain light touch. 

It’s the tingles you get when someone plays with your hair. The chills when someone draws invisible pictures on your back. The nostalgia of a mother’s touch. The serenity and silence when your mind shuts off. So many clients have used my favorite words to describe it. 

“It’s magic.”

During a light touch session, there will be minimal pressure put on your body/muscle systems. The pressure will be equivalent to approximately the weight of a nickel, and involves a light, featherly touch (using fingertips and soft brushes) across the areas if your body which you choose for your session. 

You can wear whatever you're most comfortable in, but I require that you wear underwear or shorts. 

If you choose to wear more than shorts/underwear, I suggest light materials with as much access to your skin as possible. 

You'll start on your belly, with your face in the face cradle (though if this isn't comfortable, we can discuss other positions, like your side, with a pillow between your knees to keep your hips and back aligned). 

I'll start by playing with your hair and (very lightly) run my fingers over your scalp and crown chakra. I'll also focus on the areas around the nape of your neck and your ears, which is where you'll get the most relaxation.

Then I'll move on, running my fingers and fan brushes over your neck, shoulders, back, and arms in a rhythmic pattern. This will not be so light that it tickles, but it also won't be enough pressure to feel like a massage. I'll intuitively alter the amount of pressure you receive based on cues from your body. If I sense a ticklish spot, I'll avoid it or adjust the pressure slightly in order to make sure you can remain completely relaxed.  I'll lightly run the brushes along your skin, often following with my other hand to keep it from tickling.

That's it. You just lay there and breathe.

 This touch can have many potential benefits, though the only benefit I can promise is relaxation. Light touch can improve blood flow as it helps to move the energy through your body, removing any energetic blocks. It also stimulates the nerve endings, which talk to the vagus nerve. This tells the nervous system to slow down, therefore sometimes lowering a person's heart rate and blood pressure. Other benefits might include reducing vomiting, nausea, and weakness associated with chemotherapy, and increasing lymphatic flow. Touch is proven to release oxytocin, which is known as one of the "feel good" hormones, increasing a person's general sense of well-being. into.  

Your skin is your largest organ, and inside it are some really special cells called Merkel cells. These skin cells talk to bundles of nerve endings, and those nerve endings shoot signals through your body to your brain.

When Merkel cells sense a gentle touch, they produce norepinephrine. This is a neurotransmitter that talks to your nerves. The nerves then send messages to your brain and your brain tells your body, “Hey. This feels really good. You should calm down. Tell the body it’s safe and secure.”

 Your body hears this and releases hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which signal to your body that it’s safe to lower your blood pressure. Your breathing deepens. Your body gets more oxygen. Your brain quiets down. Your systems feel safe and your cortisol levels decrease. (Cortisol is great, and we need it. Unfortunately, stress causes our bodies to produce and store TOO MUCH cortisol, which can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and lots of other problems!)

While these Merkel cells, norepinephrine, your nerves, your brain, and the rest of your body do all of this talking and communicating, you feel yourself relaxing. Maybe you get the chills or "tingles" (my ASMR fans will know what this means).  As you inevitably focus your attention on the sensations of soft hands or brushes against your skin. You find yourself in a deep state of relaxation and maybe even fall asleep.

Once the light touch session is over, your body keeps releasing those feel good hormones for a while. You’re able to focus better and feel less stressed out by every day life. You sleep better and your muscles are more relaxed.

It’s not just relaxation. It’s science!