This growth is mostly thanks to an unexpected, nostalgic trend, something rooted in science as much as the shelves of the household pantry: Slime. There aren't many Americans who don't have childhood memories of using Elmer's Glue to make everything from popsicle stick cabins to sock puppets with stuck-on googly eyes. The brand is a classroom staple that has enjoyed a steady, reliable popularity in the kids’ craft market for decades.
Since starting this work in 2014, Richard has been learning how ASMR works and why individuals of all ages have found it beneficial in managing stress, anxiety, and overall wellness. “We did a brain scan study,” he says. “Individuals watched ASMR videos during the scan. We could see which areas of the brain were more active. A couple of the regions lit up and lined up with hormones I proposed, like oxytocin. The love hormone, the trust hormone, the hug hormone.