Study: ADHD Young Adults Use More Background Music

8.7.2025 0 comments

Author: Trisha Houghton, CNS, ASIST

A new study from Canadian researchers, published in the Frontiers in Psychology on January 22nd, 2025, reports that young adults who screen positive for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to use background music more frequently than their neurotypical peers.

This phenomenon is especially relevant during cognitively demanding tasks, such as writing or studying. These findings may be a strong suggestion that people dealing with ADHD could use background music as a way to self-regulate.

Read the full study here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1508181/full

What the Study Found

The study conducted by researchers from Montreal focused on examining how participants used background music in their day-to-day lives, and how they perceived its impact.

Here are the main takeaways from the full article:

• The ADHD-screened group reported listening to more background music during not just routine activities (such as cleaning, cooking, exercising, and commuting), but also during cognitively demanding tasks (like learning, reading, and problem-solving).
• Interestingly, both groups reported perceiving similar benefits of background music – highlighting its potential impact on mood, focus, productivity, and stress levels.
• When it comes to choosing music genres, neurotypical individuals were more likely to listen to calming instrumental music during concentration-heavy tasks, while participants with ADHD were more likely to prefer stimulating music.

The patterns highlighted in the study suggest that music may be a powerful tool to be a self-regulatory aid and help with focus, especially for those with ADHD.

Who Took Part in the Study

Initially, 910 individuals (ages 17 to 30) completed the survey, but out of that group, only 434 have been retained for analysis. The remaining 476 were excluded due to withdrawal, hearing impairments, and other health challenges that could disrupt the findings.

Out of the final 434 subjects, 118 screened positive for ADHD symptoms using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-5). The rest (316) of participants were considered as neurotypical – based on the same criteria.

The survey regarding background music looked at weekly listening time, genre choices, and how music influenced the participants perception of their own cognitive and emotional functioning.

Why These Findings Matter

With the rising rates of ADHD diagnoses, this study offers an interesting perspective on simple ways that can support mental performance and emotional balance in people dealing with attention deficits. The conclusions formulated in the Canadian research come at the right time, as more and more people are looking for natural ways to manage ADHD and retain focus.

Not only that, the study explores insights into how individuals with ADHD, and those without it, are most likely using music as a way to improve their everyday performance. As discussed, regardless of ADHD status, background music may be a great way to deal with low mood and energy crashes, or simply to make household chores more enjoyable.

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What This Study Could Mean for People Dealing with ADHD

This 2025 article adds to the growing research which focuses on self-guided coping strategies among adults who have ADHD. The findings may also help clinicians explore various sound environments (such as soundscapes and noise) with their patients, as a part of a broader treatment plan.

What people diagnosed with ADHD (or those who simply want to enhance their day-to-day concentration) can take away is that preferred music types might be a huge game-changer in supporting their concentration, mood, and their overall wellbeing.

That’s why it’s worth experimenting with different music styles such as opera, classical, pop, jazz and blues, or even with rap and hip hop – all depending on the individual, and their activity.

What Future Research Can Focus On

While this study already offers a valuable perspective on the connection between our activities and background music preferences, it also opens up several paths for future investigation.

Future controlled studies could look at how specific playlists, genres, and even tempos influence a person’s attention, memory, or task performance. For even more insights, researchers could explore how music affects neural processes related to focus, stress, and attention.

This would help us understand alternative ways to better support individuals. Specifically, enhancing their focus, reducing anxiety, or improving academic performance all by harnessing the power of music.

With studies like this highlighting the role of music in regulating attention and mood, it’s clear that the brain responds powerfully to the right kind of stimulation—and just as importantly, to proper rest. If you find your mind racing at night or struggle to unwind after a cognitively demanding day, supporting your brain with key nutrients like magnesium can make a big difference.

If you need further help, you should try magnesium supplementation. Restore Sleep magnesium formula contains the 7 most powerful forms of magnesium that support optimal brain function, help achieve deep restorative sleep and promote total body relaxation. 

Click here to learn more about Restore Sleep and how it can change your life for the better through providing your body with the best magnesium complex to improve your brain function, sleep quality and relaxation response. 

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