Documentaries, the new ASMR?!

How will you feel when you hear a young teen telling you that he enjoys watching documentaries? Strange, isn’t it? With resources being so freely available today, documentaries are just one of the many ways to learn something new, in fact, one may say using an AI Large Language Model allows people to learn  faster than watching documentaries. 

I remember when I was in high school, I used to laugh at my friend for watching documentaries while the majority of us were watching Marvel movies. But anyhow, I have decided to give it a try, and since then it has changed my mind entirely. I started falling in love with them and began enjoying watching them in a strange, yet interesting way. 

Can’t deny that  documentaries are pretty beneficial to students like us in a certain way, for instance giving us opportunities to explore the world, gain knowledge and experience captivating stories. Basically, they visualise our dreams of travelling to the poles or even outer space right in front of our eyes. But have you ever wondered, because of the way they are produced and edited, that they can be a new ASMR in our era?

Well, let me bring you through my ASMR documentaries journey ~ 

[1] Our Planet

As an environmental engineering student, I have always found nature fascinating and full of surprises. It is perhaps no surprise, then, that nature documentaries rank first on my watchlist. Let me share the top on my list, “Our Planets”, a Netflix-produced nature documentary, narrated by Attenborough.

In the series, Attenborough introduces viewers to a wide range of natural phenomena within Earth’s ecosystems. From polar ice caps to dense rainforests, we see breathtaking landscapes and observe how nature operates in intricate balance, that is also free from human interference. Yet what makes the series especially compelling is not only its visual grandeur, but the way it stimulates our senses, which I call it the “Nature ASMR”.

From a visual point of view,  we can observe the slow, weightless movement of a blue whale gliding beneath the deep blue ocean. Unlike fast-paced scenes that demand attention, this sequence unfolds slowly and predictably, creating a calming moment to slow our pace down and relax a little bit in between our busy schedule. Other than visuals, you should definitely watch Our Planet with a pair of high-quality headphones. From the deep, rolling hush of seawater caused by the whale’s movement to the gentle brushing of wind across grasslands, the sound is just as satisfying as the crispy fried chicken sound we hear in Mukbang videos. 

Well, try to recall, when was the last time you stepped out of the city into nature to “touch grass”? Perhaps, documentaries aren’t such a bad idea to escape reality (e.g. your essay deadlines tomorrow) and immerse yourself in the relaxing nature, are they? 

[2] Food Factory

If nature isn’t something for you, then food is definitely the cup of tea that will add some flavour to your documentary ASMR journey—quite literally “add flavour”. The Canadian-produced Food Factory is a documentary series that shows the behind the scenes of large-scale food production, revealing how familiar snacks and treats are manufactured in astonishing quantities. From chocolate bars to ice cream sandwiches, everyday indulgences are broken down into clear, step-by-step processes.

What makes Food Factory particularly satisfying is its emphasis on processes and transformations, which I call the “Engineering ASMR”. Liquid chocolate cascades smoothly into moulds before cooling into glossy bars. Streams of caramel are layered with mechanical accuracy. Ice cream is piped in perfect spirals before being sealed and packaged in rapid succession. The satisfaction from the completion and accuracy of the processes provides a new kind of ASMR that relaxes our minds.

Much like ASMR videos that focus on slicing or soft-speaking auditory stimulation, the documentary derives its calming effect from repetition and predictability. Watching it is not only informative but rather satisfying as a result of structured patterns unfolding behind the scenes and auditory sounds that sync with our brain waves. 

Well, this is my niche journey of watching documentaries as ASMR videos! Perhaps, you could share with me your personal niche ASMR preferences or niche way to calm your brain down. Share with me in the comments below, maybe it will open a new door that brings me a brand new and fun experience!