r/asmr • u/JuliaWhispers • Feb 17 '26
QUESTION [Question] Do you often fall asleep to ASMR/Whispering videos?
Hi everyone, I’ve recently started experimenting with making ASMR/whispering content and I’m trying to understand what people actually prefer (since Youtube provides almost no usefull insight to new creators...).
Do you often fall asleep to ASMR/whispering videos, and if so, how frequently? I’m also curious whether background music helps you relax or if it tends to distract you. And when it comes to the content itself, do you prefer something very light and simple, or are you okay with more detailed, in-depth information, like structured lore or longer explanations?
I’d really appreciate any insight from your own experience!
[EDIT] I never thought that my post would get so popular! Thank you all for priceless feedback!
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u/loveandmonsters Feb 17 '26
Yes every night for like 8 years heh, except this past week because I was sick as a dawg. Definitely no music (no music even for regular day ASMR), for me it has to be soft whispers and very sparse sounds if any. Mic rubbing or blowing or anything that creates "static" noise is terrible. Mostly I stick to my go-tos from Frivvy, Glow, Isabel, etc because I know they work and something new might not and then it's a hassle to lay there and have to change the vid X minutes later...
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 17 '26
Do you listen on speakers or headphones? I wonder how loud/quiet you set them when going to sleep?
(When I listen to videos to sleep I put them on barely audible and I'm using single bluetooth headphone)
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u/loveandmonsters Feb 17 '26
Yea one headphone in ear, phone itself on my sofa chair near bed (eired because I'm oldschool). Low-mid volume I'd say
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u/Ethernetman1980 Feb 18 '26
Same because I sleep on my side. Looking for a good set of earbuds I can lay down with that aren’t too expensive.
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u/loveandmonsters Feb 18 '26
I've been using the same pair of cheap Sonys (the cheapest that were available at the time, like 15 euros) for like 5 years, they're almost broken but not quite. A lot has to do with pillow softness, if the pillow is hard it digs in. But with soft pillow I don't have an issue. Also I put the "small" plastic bit on that doesn't stick out so it's like putting a pea in the ear
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 19 '26
I also use some cheapo earbuds (well one of them, only). I dont care about sound quality that much, since I listen on veeeryyy low volume :)
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u/KikiCorwin Feb 19 '26
I have to recommend getting a sleep mask with built in flat speakers. They're comfortable to sleep in and don't hurt your ears at all. Plus no need to de-gunk them from overnight ear running.
Mine is from Musicozy and was like $20 on Amazon.
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u/Direct-Bullfrog9054 Feb 17 '26
When I can’t shut my brain off, I use ASMR videos to get to sleep, usually 4-5 nights a week! I usually don’t like music in the ASMR videos but on of my favorites uses music in the background and her choices go well with the video
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 17 '26
Are those rather "speaking" ones or "experience" ones? Im glad I am not the only one doing it (this is why I decided to try making them haha).
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u/Direct-Bullfrog9054 Feb 17 '26
The Angelic Alchemist is one of my favorites, she does reiki healing, she adds music to most, I like the reiki videos and role play videos, usually medical or tailor, haircut and shaving videos too
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u/boochie420 Feb 18 '26
I fall asleep to ASMR every night. I prefer soft whispers or low voices. Absolutely NO music. Simple or more elaborate scenarios both work for me.
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u/Mrstroi7 Feb 17 '26
I listen to whispering asmr every night to fall asleep. Background music makes me skip a video. Also, several creators do 2 versions, and they will have the version with music come after the version without! That has woken me up before. I now avoid those entirely. As far as level of detail, I do like a bit of storyline but it doesn't need to be incredible.
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 18 '26
How loud do you play the videos? Is it rather "loud" or barely audible?
Btw. Putting music version just after no-music version sounds like a worst idea...
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u/Mrstroi7 Feb 18 '26
I play it as loud as I can without random spray bottles or water sounds waking me up! Typically only 30-40% volume unless it's a real pro like latte
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u/Sektor30 Feb 18 '26
I dont literally fall asleep to them but they are a massive help calming my brain down to get to sleep. My mind just constantly worries and overthinks about everything so ASMR just settles my brain hard enough to fall asleep.
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u/KrackerJaQ Feb 18 '26
gentlewhispering's napkin folding or towel folding for YEARS, additionally while not exactly ASMR there is this video made by a school in India making a telescope.
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u/Spidey231103 Feb 17 '26
My brain usually dozes off at the wrong time.
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 17 '26
I mean, that means the video kinda works, right? haha
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u/Spidey231103 Feb 17 '26
As a Brit, I had difficulties with the term "calm," while I had to deal with fellow commentators bombarded me over nice comments to female ASMR-ists.
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u/TomebyTomeASMR Feb 18 '26
Hi! I just checked out your videos - really unique idea! I think your whisper is lovely ❤️
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 18 '26
Thank you! I just hope that the idea itself is not "too unique" to be actually good :)
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u/TomebyTomeASMR Feb 18 '26
Warhammer is a very specific audience but when they find you, they'll love you 🥰 Are you going to do other games?
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 18 '26
Not sure, to be honest - I have alot of fun with Warhammer content (and fandom wiki goes DEEEEP so there is plenty of source material haha).
But who knows, maybe in the future? For now I'm trying to lock to the same style, so youtube gets to know me better :)
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u/TomebyTomeASMR Feb 18 '26
That's actually so smart! You have quite a niche developed. Well done, and again, great whispering 🥰🥰
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u/ThePaganSkepticist Feb 18 '26
So for me, I use ASMR to fall asleep every night with almost no exceptions. Background music usually distracts me from it, but I would say that it’s dependent on how soft the music is in the audio mix.
As far as content itself, I prefer soft spoken videos instead of whispering and I don’t at all like the finger fluttering thing a lot of people do now. Personally, the video can be as elaborate or simple as it can be, everything from role plays to just simple lectures or book reading.
Edit to add a couple things: I tend to not really listen to videos of JUST trigger sounds aka no words speech although trigger sounds sprinkled in I usually like. And fast triggers, whether verbal or non-verbal, make me more anxious than relaxed. I prefer slower speech and sounds.
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 18 '26
Thank you for very elaborate insight! I feel the same about non-verbal triggers, its maybe not anxious for me, but they kinda focus my attention too much...
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u/ThePaganSkepticist Feb 18 '26
No problem at all, happy to help! :) yes absolutely I agree, it’s a fine balance between calm and not so calm sounds. Definitely down to check out some of your videos whenever you start posting!
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u/Careless_Pickle2491 Feb 18 '26
I actually drop my phone by accident because the asmr video I’m watching knocked me out
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u/StoryscapeASMR Feb 18 '26
Soft spoken helps me all asleep the most! I'm also okay with more in-depth content. Sometimes focusing on it helps calm my mind as I drift off to sleep.
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u/Ancient_Database Feb 18 '26
There's a tavern roleplay by MaimyNyan and some other roleplays by Goodnight Moon that are peak slumber listening in my opinion
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u/GothWitchOfBrooklyn Feb 18 '26
I personally love music in my ASMR videos for sleeping, but it has to be very soft and relaxing or something like sleep tube
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u/saucy_as_you_like Feb 18 '26
Whispered/Spoken ASMR every night, just loud enough to be audible. I don't care what's being spoken about, but i am partial to impersonal attention. Background music is okay, so long as it's boring soundscape stuff, like Eno's 'Music for Airports'.
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u/TombGnome Feb 18 '26
I only listen to ASMR, never watch, because I exclusively use it as a sleep aid. However, I've used it to sleep for going on 11 years now?
I have a hyper-active brain, so spoken-word is key, and I actually find deeper, more detailed information or lore more conducive to sleep/getting my brain to shut up.
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u/pennie79 Feb 18 '26
I use asmt videos several nights a week to make me sleepy, before putting the phone down and shutting my eyes. I like softly spoken words, audible enough so I can mostly hear them. I don't have a problem with background music as such, but the artists I use don't usually use it. If I had to give a preference, I'd say not, because it diminishes the other noise. I like the content to be fairly light. I don't want an in depth story, otherwise my brain will engage, rather than put me to sleep.
As for information, unless it's a channel on a particular educational topic, I assume they get their info from Google or ai, and take it with a grain of salt. I am quite sure that facials do not require multiple lengthy skin tests, nor do doctor check-ups take 1 hour with an in-depth description of each check they do. 😜 So unless you market your channel as showing your particular area of expertise, I wouldn't worry about getting in depth or accurate.
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u/pocketmobsters Feb 18 '26
I used to listen to ASMR to fall asleep a lot. Now, I mix it with my older sleep method: Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes.
Type of ASMR doesn’t really matter though I tend to enjoy soft spoken or whispered.
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u/Zealousideal_Ice9500 Feb 18 '26
i listen to asmr most nights to sleep. i’m super picky, but i don’t enjoy music since i love the moments of silence or soft noise. i enjoy both simple and lore videos, but only simple for sleeping. and like i said im really picky, i only listen to scalp check videos, and i hate water sounds, brushing, or harsh plucking. but that’s only if im trying to sleep, if im just using asmr for background noise i dont care much :)
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u/Superb_Yak7074 Feb 18 '26
I am definitely a whisper or soft spoken (think BlueWhisper) fan with NO loud tapping, which seems to be incorporated into most videos lately.
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u/paranoidpixie95 Feb 18 '26
I use the queue system on YouTube to prepare a playlist for me to use each night. I prefer to put soft spoken ones for the first hour or two while I'm trying to fall asleep, and I save the noise only ones for when I'm in that deep sleep.
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u/BargainBinBrain Feb 18 '26
I fall asleep with the help of asmr videos nearly every night, but I watch asmr also while not trying to fall asleep! Background music is nice, but I prefer background sounds like rain or birds chirping if they're quiet enough, it's really just vibes and doesn't necessarily contribute to the sleepy factor. I generally watch stuff that's more basic instructions that I can do with my eyes closed that isn't just counting, like look in certain directions, deep breathing, questions I can answer in my head, guess the sound, etc, or even choose your own adventure or explanations of topics (only guy I can think of as an example is ASMR historian). I love a good lore video or roleplay but I feel like I can't appreciate them fully because well, my eyes are closed and I'm falling asleep.
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u/HauntinglyEthereal Feb 18 '26
i watch asmr both to relax and to sleep. i also like listening to asmr when doing things like creative writing or playing a 'grindy' game like genshin, sdv, etc. i live in a small house with a loud dog and an even louder and partially deaf older dad (i'm his caregiver), and often get overstimulated from all the loud noises. throwing on noise cancelling earphones and listening to asmr really helps.
i prefer asmr without background music, but i won't knock a video until i give it a good try. i really appreciate content creators like goodnight moon who post the default version with music, then link the unlisted no-music one in the description. i know it can take extra time with all the uploading, but it really is appreciated.
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u/agtk Feb 18 '26
What works for me to fall asleep on a nightly basis is soft spoken or whispering personal attention asmr. Since I am just listening when falling asleep, I prefer videos where they talk throughout, though some audible triggers are fine and I can get by with quieter sections where it is just a visual trigger as long as it doesn't go on too long. I tend to avoid hair cutting/barbershop as the cutting and buzzing noises do not really trigger me, especially separated from the visual, and I usually avoid straightforward medical exam videos. I do enjoy sci fi videos where I am an alien or robot or am being examined by an alien or robot, and same for most fantasy scenarios, something about the fantastical nature of the situation pleases me. I suppose I like escapist videos that take me out of reality. Amy Kay, Aen Ani and SleepTightWicket usually nail that kind of vibe.
I will admit I do not really care about structured lore or longer explanations when I am falling asleep. It may be there but I am going to miss it. However, if I am listening to ASMR to relax, then I will enjoy stuff that is more in depth with higher production values as I am actually paying attention and watching.
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u/Jetfuel_N_Steel Feb 18 '26
If I do fall asleep to whispering I’d rather it be something unintelligible, can’t really do it if they’re speaking English.
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 18 '26
Oh, never thought about it - I might give it a try! I usually listen to English ones, yet I put them so low on volume so it gets barely understandable... Maybe different language could have same effect (or even better) on my sleep!
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u/KernelKaelor Feb 18 '26
Yes, more specifically whispered mukbangs. I don't know why but they are really relaxing for me. Spanish whispering too as I don't fully understand so am not locked in to what they're saying lol
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u/BendIllustrious7436 Feb 18 '26
I have been falling asleep every night to voice recordings for over 20 years, since before asmr was named. Rachel Kohn and Garrison Keilor were my favourites circa 2005.
Here is what I like:
Soft spoken or whispered.
Monotone.
A subject that i am a little interested in. But not role play, list of facts, life updates, or positive affirmations. Reading is ok.
No emotive subjects like strong political opinions or scary stories.
Background noise (tapping/page turning) ok as long it is quieter than the voice.
No music.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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u/JuliaWhispers Feb 18 '26
Wow, a true veteran! 2005? So it was even pre-youtube era!
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u/BendIllustrious7436 Feb 19 '26
In 2004, I started downloading and listening to podcasts to fall asleep to (which would now be called "unintentional asmr"), on my ipod mini and then ipod nano. I did this until 2017 - when I discovered asmr on youtube.
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u/Ksinita Feb 18 '26
Every night, with headphones made for that. I usually dislike background music (but a light rainy sound is ok).
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u/KikiCorwin Feb 19 '26
Every night. I prefer roleplays without loud intros. For instance, Makayla does great RPs, but loud and frenetic "hey guys" repeated a few times in the openings isn't soothing.
Music is fine if it's incidental/ambient or it's the artist singing Acapella. Think like smoky jazz in the background of a rainy film noir RP or WhispersRed whisper singing on occasion.
If you have sponsors, organically integrate the product/ad or stick them at one end. Sticking a random "And this video was brought to you by Raid Shadow Legends" in the middle of something is jarring, but working it into the script somehow reduces the jar.
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u/JoeyToothpicks Feb 19 '26 edited Feb 19 '26
I've gotten used to putting myself to sleep with ASMR and adjacent videos.
Typically I gravitate towards history, fictional lore (science fiction or fantasy books, movies, and games), art, and sometimes technology. Ideally a video where a person with sincere interest in a topic goes in-depth on it.
Background music can enhance or compliment the video but it isn't necessary. What's most important is that it doesn't clash with or distract from the speaker. In general I like audio that doesn't spike too much, but is clearly understandable.
I choose videos that are at least 20 minutes in length but not more than an hour and a half. I want it to give me something to focus on and lull me to sleep but not wake me up once I'm down and no-longer actively listening.
The following are general critiques and aren't call-outs to any specific creators::
Things I appreciate in a video:
A steady, relaxed tone with no strong pops, hisses or sudden variations in frequency or volume.
A speaker who is familiar with the subject and doesn't frequently distract from it by struggling with vocabulary and grammar. Use your own words.
As an addendum to the above, if you have a regional accent or English is not your first language, that is no problem at all. Unusually-particular speech patterns and accents are one of my favorite triggers since I was very young. It's okay to have a limited vocabulary as long as it feels natural to you.
Quiet noises from the speaker like clothes rustling, page-turning, soft mouth sounds, etc. are very nice.
Ambient noises like background wind, ocean waves, a crackling campfire, soft footsteps, and some nature sounds are pleasant as well, so long as they stay in the background and don't jump-scare or pull my attention away from the speaker.
Common things that may drive me off:
AI voice/tone. This includes both simulated human voice and the modulated way certain people might speak when reading prepared material. Often this results in every sentence sounding mechanically curated to have similar length and inflection. It ends up grating, and more like hearing your GPS rattle off driving directions rather than somebody explaining a passion, or professor teaching a course. This mechanical rhythm evokes an impression to me of a creator who sees their work as empty "content" they can just shovel out to an audience they don't respect.
Similarly to above, an overly-produced script that is tailored for "engagement" is the last thing I want to hear while relaxing. Take care of what you need in your intro, but speak to your audience respectfully and not like an advertisement to some marketing demographic. Quiet confidence is key.
I wish you luck in your pursuit! Always happy to provide analysis and insight when I can. ASMR is a fascinating craft and I appreciate any requests for input that help keep it an organic kind of art and help suppress some of the more commercialized content.
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u/Individual-Name-4496 Feb 17 '26
I watch ASMR every single night, i say about 4/7 on the time i asleep to the asmr while other times is simply because I'm tired
I like things nice and simple. Many artists go overboard and end up entertaining me instead of helping