Music therapy is an ever-expanding niche in the field of mental health, as studies continue to support the use of music in treatment of depression, trauma, schizophrenia, grief, addiction, and many more conditions.
You probably already know from experience that music can have a powerful effect on mood. In fact, research shows that even sad music can bring comfort to most listeners. But, did you know music can also improve focus and concentration for people with ADHD?
There are a few different ways that music can affect the brain to improve functioning in ADHD.
Brain imaging shows that listening to music increases activity in the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, anterior cingulate, and temporal regions – all of which are brain regions associated with ADHD.
Motivation is often a challenge for people with ADHD, and our reward system is often underactive. Another discovery from brain imaging – listening to pleasurable music increased blood flow and dopamine release in brain regions associated with reward and motivation.
Different people will respond to different genres, so it is important to find what works best for the individual. In general, there are a few specific genres of music that have been shown to help with ADHD symptoms:
See more recommendations from Shimmer coaches and members here!
Try some of these tips to see which kinds of music may work best for people with ADHD, and how to use it for best results.
While music can help with ADHD symptoms, it’s important to be realistic. It’s not a substitute for other treatments, such as medication, coaching, or therapy. But when used appropriately, music is an excellent addition to your ADHD toolbox.
