Vibration

Proprioception

The body's sense of itself in space; awareness of where the limbs are without looking. Vibration sharpens it. Bodies feel more assembled, more here.

Interoception

The felt sense of the body's internal state: heartbeat, breath, the sense of being inside oneself.

Vestibular

The balance system; closely linked to proprioception and often co-stimulated by vibration.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The body's settling system. Low-frequency vibration applied to chest, neck, or jaw has measurable effects on it. Things slow down. Breathing deepens.

Gate control (of pain)

The principle that non-painful sensations, vibration among them, can interfere with the brain's processing of pain signals. Why holding something buzzy helps when something hurts.

Hertz (Hz)

Cycles per second; the frequency of the vibration. Low frequencies (roughly 20–80 Hz) are felt deep in the body. Higher frequencies sit closer to the skin.

Amplitude

The size of the oscillation; how strong it feels. Distinct from frequency. A deep rumble and a light buzz can share a Hz reading and feel entirely different.

Rumble vs buzz

Informal but useful. Rumble is low and grounding. Buzz is high and activating. Good products give you both.

Resonance

The tendency of body cavities and tissues to amplify particular frequencies; why a given vibration feels right in the chest, the skull, or the soles of the feet.

Sensory seeking

Active pursuit of strong sensory input. Not a symptom. A preference.

Stimming

Rhythmic, repeated sensory engagement, often vibration-related, used for regulation, expression, or joy. Common, useful, frequently lovely to watch.