o say that ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) has gone mainstream is a pretty gross understatement. After all, Michelob featured the techniques for triggering ASMR in a Super Bowl ad last January. In the commercial, HBO star Zoë Kravitz softly whispers a few lines while creating sounds such as a gentle drumming of her fingernails on a beer bottle. A kaleidoscope of nature shots—lush, green mountains; wispy clouds; crashing waterfalls—punctuate the ad.
This combination of audio and visual stimuli is intended to produce ASMR, or more specifically, a tingly sensation across the scalp, neck or back. Physical contact like a massage or back scratch can also trigger this sensory experience.
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Although not everyone experiences ASMR, interest in it has exploded with upwards of 1.5 million Google searches conducted monthly on the acronym alone. Meanwhile, YouTube channels such as GentleWhispering and MassageASMR garner millions of viewers.
This may be because folks—along with preliminary research—are finding that ASMR triggers can help:
- Promote calm
- Boost mood
- Induce relaxation and sleep
- Reduce pain
Wouldn’t you know that these are the very same things that cannabis can help with as well? So, if you’re interested in checking out the scalp-tingling sounds and visuals of ASMR—or you already do—consider enhancing this said-to-be-soothing activity with one of the following cannabis strains.
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1. Cherry Pie Can Intensify the Sounds & Visuals of ASMR Triggers
Descended from two popular strains, Granddaddy Purple and Durban Poison, this indica-leaning hybrid is a popular choice for those looking to wind down and relax. Clocking in around 16–24% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cherry Pie can also help:
- Improve mood
- Reduce stress
- Ease pain
Effects come on slowly and can sometimes bring added dimension to sounds and visuals, making it the perfect complement to your ASMR stimuli.
2. Snoop’s Dream Is for the Pro Canna Consumer Who Wants to Enhance Their ASMR Experience
Not for the faint of heart—or the cannabis newbie, Snoop’s Dream is an indica-dominant hybrid that can register as high as 26% THC. A cross between Blue Dream and Master Kush, this marijuana strain will mellow you out with its uplifting cerebral effects and gentle body buzz.
Feelings of euphoria followed by a deep sleep are common when consuming Snoop’s Dream. So, when you’re tuning in at night to your favorite ASMR YouTube channel, give this strain a try.
3. Medihaze Is a 1:1 Cannabis Strain You Can Pair With Your Fave ASMRtist
Medihaze marijuana strain and ASMR
If too much THC turns you into a nervous Nellie, then consider Medihaze, whose THC content is often evenly balanced with its cannabidiol (CBD) content.
Descended from Super Silver Haze, Haze and an unknown high-CBD strain, this sativa strain typically energizes and uplifts, even while it relaxes tight muscles, and helps relieve pain and inflammation.
Give this marijuana strain a go during your midday break, when you’re listening to your preferred ASMRtist—yep, that’s what they’re called—brush their hair.
4. Berry White Can Ease Both Mind & Body While You Listen to Your ASMR App
Averaging around 22% THC, Berry White is touted for its balanced effects, which ease both mind and body sans the couch lock that typically comes with indicas or indica-dominant hybrids.
That said, this soothing cannabis strain is better suited for the nighttime or weekends when you’ve got nothing planned other than to listen to the light patter of rain drops or crashing of ocean waves on your ASMR app.
5. Harlequin Is a High-CBD Strain That Will Calm & Uplift During Your ASMR Pursuits
If you’re looking for a high-CBD companion to your ASMR-inducing activities, Harlequin may be just the thing for you. With a CBD-to-THC ratio of 5:2, Harlequin won’t likely get you high. But it’ll make you feel good by calming frayed nerves and boosting your mood.
Aches and pains are said to melt away with the consumption of this sativa-dominant cannabis strain, which is an offspring of landrace cannabis strains from Colombia, Thailand, Switzerland and Nepal.
6. Northern Lights Will Glue You to the Couch in a Good Way While You Watch Your ASMR Videos
Heavy-hitting Northern Lights is a classic indica that can knock you out in a very short span of time. Needless to say, couch lock is a certainty, coupled with feelings of utter bliss and contentment.
A cross between Afghani and Thai, this marijuana strain may be best consumed curled up in bed, watching videos of, say, PBS landscape artist Bob Ross—posthumously dubbed the godfather of ASMR—speak in soothing tones as he paints his “happy clouds” and “happy little trees.”
Photo credit: palidachan/Shutterstock.com
If you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our Cannabis 101 index of articles. And if you have questions about cannabis, ask them and our community will answer.
