"ASMR is a response to stimuli — sight, sound, etc.," says Andrew MacMuiris, an outreach agent with the site's research team. "It's usually pleasurable and is characterized by a tingling sensation on the scalp, down the spine and even in other areas of the body, such as the limbs. This is also accompanied by feelings of euphoria and relaxation."

The organization created a Facebook community three years ago that has grown to nearly 5,500 members from around the globe. MacMuiris lives in Cape Town, South Africa, and says his diverse musical triggers include Leonard Cohen, instrumental guitar and even the whistling of the family's gardener.

"For me, ASMR is almost always pleasurable, and it makes me want to sit or lay there and listen to whatever is triggering it for a long time, if not forever," he says. "I find that I listen much more intently to the song playing, paying particular attention to the bits that trigger the sensations."
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Ask Willie

My Fiancé's Suspicious Past
A reader is starting to feel the pre-wedding jitters.

Willie D

Dear Willie D:

I met my fiancé two months ago, and now we are on our way to the chapel to get married. I know you, like everybody else, might think we're moving too fast, but I've always thought that if you love someone, what difference does it make if you wait two months or two years to get married?

The wedding is next week and I'm starting to get cold feet; here's why: My fiancé took me with him to visit his good friend in Arizona, where he grew up. While there, we met several other old friends of his and on more than one occasion, they referred to him with a name that I had never heard before and that had no relevance to his first or last name. For instance, if his name was William, people might call him Bob, Willie or Will.

I asked him about it, and he said it was a nickname, but that didn't make sense. I called my friend and told her about my experience; she suggested I do some snooping when I got home, which I did. I waited until he went to work and searched his belongings. Hidden inside of a small pocket of his gym bag I found four additional ID cards with his picture and alias names. I went on the Internet and searched all of the names, including the name I knew him by, but didn't see anything that stood out.

My head is spinning 1,000 miles per minute. For all I know, he could be wanted for murder. What have I gotten myself into? Do I confront him with my discovery, do I wait for him to come clean or do I run for the exits?

Suspicious:

When you meet a man for the first time and decide to marry him two months later, you're asking for it. It takes most people longer to figure out what to wear to the club. Before you make a commitment to marry someone, it's a good idea to meet his or her family and friends first. Everyone has that uncle or cousin at the family gathering who always gets drunk and will gladly tell you anything you want to know about your significant other.

You could confront your fiancé, but what if he really is a murderer? You could set him off. You could wait until he's ready to confide in you; however, by that time he could have cleaned out your bank account, ruined your credit, and sold your house for $200 to his accountant/AA sponsor and split the equity. That leaves one option: Run for the exits.

Ask Willie D appears Thursday mornings on Rocks Off.