ASMR

• REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A team of both humans and AI crafted Sleep Flow's endless library.
• While AI ensures infinite variety, humans play a crucial role in proofreading, infusing stories with emotional depth, and incorporating scientific techniques.
• Jane Smorodnikova, Welltory's CEO and co-founder, said: "CDC reports that 14.5% of adults in the US have trouble falling asleep nearly every day.
• That is why we decided that Sleep Flow should never end and constantly surprise users with something fresh and relaxing.

• Dubbed 'EXCEL Study Beats,' this program leverages the power of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) and the soothing sounds of gum to transform study sessions into moments of tranquillity, conquering 'examiety.'
• "'EXCEL Study Beats' is the way we're trying to help, infusing the calming world of ASMR with the experience of enjoying our gum.
• They will also host live ASMR study sessions on TikTok, providing a soothing symphony of relaxation for students.
• For those seeking relaxation during study sessions, visit EXCEL Gum's dedicated Spotify page to immerse themselves in the world of gum ASMR.

• ASMR is often described as a relaxing, tingling sensation experienced in the scalp or the spine.
• This article is part of Quarter Life, a series about issues affecting those of us in our twenties and thirties.
• The articles in this series explore the questions and bring answers as we navigate this turbulent period of life.

ASMR research

• Research into the electrical activity of the brain may shed some light on the neurophysiology that underpins ASMR experiences.
• Interestingly, one of the reasons that ASMR videos have gained such popularity is their ability to influence relaxation.
• Research indicates that ASMR-prone people may also tend to experience anxiety and that ASMR-inducing videos may help to alleviate it.

What it means if you don’t like bottle-smashing videos

• Some people experience hyperacusis, where everyday sounds – such as something smashing – are perceived as loud and uncomfortable, even painful to listen to.
• Such experiences may be underpinned by increased levels of activity in parts of the brain that process sound.
• Indeed, some people even experience misophonia, whereby some sounds lead to an intensely unpleasant emotional or physiological reaction, such as anger.
• This may in part explain why the same sound can yield very different feelings in different people when watching bottle-smashing videos.

• Non-playable characters, or NPCs, are taking TikTok by storm.
• Creator @loczniki, Nicki Loczek, has been acting like a video game character on her TikTok page for two years.
• NPC creators perform scripted lines and reactions to purchased “gifts” from their fans that then appear on screen as emojis.
• However, when creators accumulate large audiences, the profits can add up significantly, especially when the streams can go for hours.
• Nicki Loczek’s popularity came from her funny videos pretending to be a video game character in public.

Commodifying the self

• People online have been commodifying themselves since social media platforms introduced creator fund programs and brands recognised the income potential of content creators.
• One of the key principles of being successful online is a consistent personal brand.
• Audiences want consistent posts, a clear authorial voice, and a person and brand where they know what they’re getting.

Monetisation online

• The most money to be made on TikTok, outside of brand deals, is through live streams.
• Read more:
  From being mildly late to sucking on people's tears – what is a 'beige flag' on TikTok?
• The NPC trend has shown us how the self-branding online we are more familiar with, people being so authentically themselves, can be surpassed by people playing a character.
• The rise in live videos on TikTok is linked to the platform’s monetisation policies.
• If I found a way to do my marking on an ASMR live stream, you would find me on TikTok tomorrow.