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ASMR Addiction?

Discussion in 'Partner Support' started by zoetrent, Jan 31, 2017.

  1. zoetrent

    zoetrent New Fapstronaut

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    Does anyone know anything about ASMR addiction? Can it mess with someone's brain if you watch and listen to attractive women role play doctor's appointments and hair cutting, etc.? I just wonder how close to porn this is or if it can be addictive.
     
  2. i_wanna_get_better1

    i_wanna_get_better1 Fapstronaut

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    The DSM-5 makes a difference between someone who abuses something and someone who is dependent on something. A abuser is someone who can use something and walk away from it. A dependent is someone who shows compulsive behavior, has escalating behavior due to a tolerance build up, and withdrawal symptoms. Psychologically, an addict uses things/objects/events/images to alter, medicate, sooth, numb, or escape from negative emotions or feelings. A person might start off as an abuser and eventually develop a dependency. Some are hooked from the very beginning.

    Some people have used this for relaxation and meditation. I'm sure there are versions out there that are more sensual in nature and a person can absolutely develop an addiction to it if the conditions are right.

    Can this be considered porn? If an addict is looking at material that is altering their mood and finding it stimulating then it is unhealthy. It's called a porn-substitute or p-sub. An example would be an addict who looks at bikini or lingerie pictures... technically it is not porn but it is triggering the same responses in the addict's brain. It would not be considered a less harmful substitute or compromise.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2017
  3. PornTSD

    PornTSD Fapstronaut

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    I first realized this insanely relaxing sensation I'd experienced since I was a child (thanks to the "happy little tree" painter Bob Ross on TV) had a name when I heard about it on This American Life in my 40s. My mom could not figure out why an 8 y.o. girl would want to watch a TV show like that religiously. I had a lot of pain in my life as a child and the ASMR helped me escape. It happened when people would shuffle pages, turn pages in a book, draw, or write down what I was saying. But for me, the experience never has felt sexual, just relaxing, and it never has occurred to me to seek it out. It's always just been a bonus when I'm exposed to those activities that activate it. I tried checking it out online, but I have to admit, it did seem a bit "porny" to me. It felt like people were misunderstanding what it was. So, since I'm not a professional, and it's not a sexual thing for me, I can only speak from my own experience. My suggestion would be to try to abstain from it for a certain length of time (like the suggestions on NoFap about PMO) and see what happens. That might give you a better understanding of your motivations for seeking it out and whether or not they need a closer look. Hope that helps.
     
    i_wanna_get_better1 likes this.
  4. JustinX

    JustinX Fapstronaut

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    Last edited: Feb 18, 2017
    i_wanna_get_better1 likes this.
  5. i_wanna_get_better1

    i_wanna_get_better1 Fapstronaut

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    I did a little research and I'll add to it here for anyone in the community who is looking for info in the future.

    Here's a definition for ASMR from someone who makes the therapeutic kind of videos: ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response – a complicated term for feeling the pleasurable tingles linked to receiving attention from a caring other in close encounters. They are most commonly experienced in the area of scalp and head, so ASMR have been called by many other names such as attention induced head orgasm, brain orgasms, spine tingle or brain tingles.

    Some people who suffer from anxiety, sleep disorders, and panic attacks can find relief by watching these videos or listening to special audio recordings. I don't know if they actually work or if it's a placebo. But the creator also acknowledges, as with anything else, some people can develop an addiction to these kinds of videos.

    Of course, there are erotic or pornographic versions floating around. I did not view any, but I found them. The names alone were warning enough. And I guess, as with any genre, there will be people drawn to them. An addict looking for something new might get hooked. As I mentioned above, they are not an acceptable substitute or a less dangerous form of porn. It can still be used to trigger the same chemical responses as traditional porn and needs to be avoided by addicts who are rebooting. A person rebooting might trick themselves into believing that it is an acceptable compromise.

    All in all, I believe this might be a bad idea for anyone with an addictive personality. I think the alternative name of 'brain orgasm' alone should be a great big warning sign for anyone rebooting.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2017

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