Explained: Why Videos Of People Cutting Bars Of Soap Are Getting Millions Of Views Online

Explained: Why Videos Of People Cutting Bars Of Soap Are Getting Millions Of Views Online
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Explained: Why Videos Of People Cutting Bars Of Soap Are Getting Millions Of Views Online
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People just can't get enough of these videos, with some even saying they've helped ease problems like insomnia and anxiety.

We all know that the Internet is a strange place. You never know what the next viral trend is going to be - whether it's an optical illusion that gets people talking or a video of two kids being, well, kids. But this latest viral trend might be one of the weirdest of them all - videos of people cutting up bars of soap.

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You might think it sounds straight-up bizarre but it turns out there is reasoning behind it. These videos provoke an Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) in many people and they just can't get enough.

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An ASMR is a 'tingling' sensation caused by certain visual or audio stimulation. Some people describe this kind of reaction as being like a 'brain orgasm'. Other videos that have a similar effect include videos of people poking snow, playing with slime, scooping ice cream or scratching styrofoam.

It's not clear how many people really experience ASMR but it's obviously a fair few as there are even people making a full living out of posting such videos. 25-year-old Nazish from Leeds has over 80,000 followers on her Instagram @asmr.crackle whilst American YouTuber Karina Garcia makes up to a whopping 200,000 dollars (£153,000) a month from posting slime videos.

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