Ever wondered if certain types of music could be the secret sauce to supercharge your ADHD brain? We’re here to back it up with some science!
1. Classical music
Classical Music: Picture Mozart, conductor’s baton in hand, leading your brain to peak performance.
In 2013, the Journal of Music Therapy published a study showing that classical tunes could enhance cognitive function in those with ADHD.
Fast-forward to 2018, and another study in the Journal of Attention Disorders showed Mozart’s music could also dial down the volume of ADHD symptoms.
Who knew?
2. Nature Sounds
According to a 2019 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, the soothing sounds of nature could be a chill pill for anxiety symptoms and even give your mood a lift.
While not specifically about ADHD, it suggests that a dose of birdsong or waves crashing might just be the calming influence your busy brain needs.
3. Lo-fi Hip Hop
While we couldn’t unearth any ADHD-specific studies on lo-fi hip hop, a 2012 study in the Journal of Music Therapy found that the genre could be a mood-booster and a depression-douser.
So, it’s worth giving it a spin on your vinyl, don’t you think?
4. Electronic Music
A study published in the Journal of Music Research in 2018 found that electronic dance music could be the rhythm and groove our ADHD brains need to maintain focus and resist the urge to wander.
So go ahead, pump up the volume on your EDM playlist!
5. Binaural Beats
Though the research is still in its infancy, a 2017 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that binaural beats could be a lullaby for anxiety symptoms and a sleep inducer.
6. Video Game Soundtracks
While we couldn’t find any ADHD-specific studies here either, a 2013 study in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology suggested that video gaming could sharpen spatial attention and working memory in ADHD children. So why not let those soundtracks play on?
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Remember, though, our understanding of music’s impact on ADHD is akin to a song being composed.
The rhythm and melody are taking shape, but we’re not quite ready for the grand performance yet.
More research is needed to strike the right chord.
But in the meantime, why not enjoy the music and see how it plays out for you?
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