Sluuurrrp. CRUNCH. Smack. Many people can’t stand loud eaters, but an entire community of YouTube viewers spend countless hours listening to isolated, amplified food sounds. Though the former may seem more normal to you, the latter group simply experiences ASMR.

Auto Meridian Sensory Response is a fancy term for a phenomenon more affectionately known as “brain tingles” which are triggered by certain sounds and may or may not be accompanied with equally soothing visuals. Triggers range from specific sounds like a calligraphy pen writing on a piece of paper to personal attention scenarios like getting your hair cut. YouTubers known as ASMRtists create trigger videos to appeal to the community at large.

Food Sounds

ASMRtists specializing in food sounds videos can feature just the eating sounds, the sounds accompanied by gentle whispering, or create elaborate restaurant role plays. These sounds can induce a relaxing state and a pleasant brain buzz to bring you down from an anxiety attack or simply lull you to sleep.

Ten to 100 minutes of someone intentionally eating in the most deliberate way possible is a polarizing trigger even within the ASMR community. Food sounds is special sub-niche on YouTube where these people can safely catch some Zzzs.

Recipe Videos

Just because some viewers aren’t into food sounds, doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy food-related ASMR videos. Recipe videos are often quite popular and tend to show someone creating a dish in a soft spoken voice. These videos are packed with triggers like clanking kitchenware and sizzling sounds.

These types of videos combine a slight personal attention feel, often falling into ramble territory if the person over-explains steps or provides numerous anecdotes. And that’s a good thing. Rambles are a cornerstone of the ASMR community because they add authenticity to personal attention-styled videos. Hour-long appliance unboxings and 30 minute grilled cheese sandwiches provide enough time for the viewer to relax and drift away.

Why Are These Videos So Long?

Even in a five minute video of someone slurping tea, someone who doesn’t experience ASMR can feel like the content is a bit hand over fist. Certain triggers, especially if the video is brand new to the user, can produce a pronounced tingle that actually excites rather than relaxes at first. It can take some time for that tingle to dull slightly. If the viewer falls asleep during the video, they’ll continue using it until they build up a tolerance and can make it to the video’s end.

Essentially, these YouTubers are providing modern soundscapes, but instead of waterfalls, viewers get to watch them eat wings.

Sounds like a dream scenario for everyone involved.