“It’s time for your lice check,” a woman who goes by “Ms. K” whispers directly into my ear as she starts running her fingers into my scalp and through each strand of hair. I’m in a dark room, Eastern ...

The barber turns on his trimmers. Click. Bzzzzzzzzz. He brings them closer and closer to my ears. He moves from one side of my head to the other. The gentle buzzing sound slowly pans from my left ear.

If you happen to be on the internet a lot, then you’ve probably come across at least one ASMR video. And before you ask—yes, they’re those videos that involve a lot of whispering, tapping, visual ...