Heavy metal music can be an effective way to help focus when studying, working or engaging in creative pursuits. Furthermore, its emotional expression capabilities and communal spirit make it an invaluable form of therapy.
Existing research on heavy metal music and aggression may be affected by negative stereotypes associated with metal fans in social and institutional contexts. This paper evaluates and synthesizes empirical findings which may help inform clinical decision-making on whether to encourage or discourage listening to heavy metal music.
Symptoms
People living with ADHD often struggle to stay focused, manage time effectively and complete tasks on time. While these challenges cannot always be avoided, there are strategies which may provide some assistance – one being listening to music; studies have revealed it can improve focus while decreasing distractions for individuals with ADHD – so-called ADHD Music being particularly tailored toward this audience.
Recent research compared the effect of various music genres on concentration. They discovered that classical, rock and metal music all helped improve concentration for many participants. Furthermore, certain styles can energize listeners, while others work better at encouraging calmness and focus.
Heavy metal music contains lyrics that may be distracting to people with ADHD. Therefore, when trying to focus, it is wise to avoid listening to loud, fast or lyrical music such as heavy metal. Instead, soothing music or white noise (such as that produced by a fan) are better solutions in terms of reducing distractions without overstimulating people with ADHD.
Music can also help improve organizational skills. One study showed that students studying for exams were more likely to remember important information when listening to music while simultaneously being more likely to complete their homework on time when listening to tunes while studying for tests.
Studies conducted on children with ADHD who listened to music showed they were less impulsive and more accurate when answering questions related to what they had just learned, while those who did not listen were more likely to engage in inappropriate and impulsive behaviors.
People who enjoy music may have lower levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays a key role in attention and memory processing, movement, reward and motivation. Listening to their preferred music can increase dopamine production and help improve concentration and decrease ADHD symptoms; additionally, listening to what speaks to them may provide emotional regulation and mood stabilization benefits.
Diagnosis
Many fans will swear that metal has saved their lives, with numerous studies supporting how this music helps with emotional processing. It may also benefit people with ADHD. Unfortunately, media portrayal has often linked heavy metal music with violent antisocial themes and devil worship; therefore mental health professionals may take an unfavorable view towards its genre and be reluctant to diagnose those who listen to this type of music – which could have a detrimental impact on health and wellbeing of metalheads who listen to this type of music.
Numerous studies have examined how music can improve quality of life for people living with ADHD. Some positive effects include enhanced cognition, reduced anxiety and depression levels, lower cortisol levels and enhanced social interactions. It can also serve as a form of self-expression or relaxation; its rhythmic nature helps engage brain activity to overcome distractions while increasing blood flow to improve concentration. Furthermore, attaching lyrics or melodies with important information aids memory recall for memorizing phone numbers, addresses or chores to complete.
Music therapy for ADHD symptoms can be an engaging and effective way of improving mood, but it’s essential to experiment with various genres before choosing one as your main therapy source. Also make sure that volume of music played is suitable; people with ADHD should avoid loud or fast-paced tracks that disrupt concentration, while music without clear rhythm may prove distracting.
Some people with ADHD find classical music very calming, while rock or electronic music may provide more stimulation. Experimentation can help identify what genre works for you best so you can create playlists tailored specifically for various situations with music streaming apps or binaural beat stimulation techniques such as binaural beats.
Treatment
Music can help people with ADHD focus on tasks. But not all forms of music will do so effectively – fast beats may overwhelm some children with sensory processing disorders, for instance. So try listening to different styles until you find one that best works with your child.
Heavy metal music’s rhythmic structure can assist with attention by offering an easy rhythm that’s simple to follow. Listening to heavy metal can energize and alter moods, making concentration easier for those living with ADHD. Plus, sharing this interest is also a great way to socialize or bond with loved ones!
Being passionate about metal music can be an excellent way to feel part of a community and to form connections with like-minded fans, providing invaluable support when dealing with depression or feelings of isolation. Furthermore, metal concerts offer a fantastic venue for relaxing and having fun!
However, metal can also trigger negative emotions for some listeners, especially when its lyrics promote devil worship and antisocial behaviors. Such lyrics have led to numerous court cases over claims that metal music causes suicides, drug use and violence among young people; however these studies merely demonstrate correlational data without causation being proven – thus it’s essential that individuals recognize that metal music’s impact varies based on individual circumstance.
Heavy metal culture is defined by an attitude of rebellion against established authority and an identity as an outsider, which can result in lower self-esteem, feelings of loneliness and an unmet longing to feel unique and special. This uniqueness is often expressed through music that is often intense, complex and unconventional – yet whether this draws these individuals in is unknown; perhaps music has some influence or vice versa?
However, negative attitudes exist towards metal music both within psychiatry and community settings that could result in hospitalisation of individuals who do not meet diagnostic criteria based on vignettes depicting their engagement with metal music. To combat this trend, more research and clinical practice must take into account all of the benefits that fans gain from engaging with extreme music.
Prevention
Music can have a profound effect on one’s mood, energizing workouts and providing focus in the classroom. Additionally, music has been found to boost self-esteem, increase social engagement and foster connection between individuals. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that more adults with ADHD are finding comfort in metal music genres with non-lyrical songs, such as heavy metal. These genres’ high-energy beats appear to provide powerful stimulation of body and mind for people living with ADHD.
Heavy metal music earned itself a bad rep in the ’80s and ’90s as media reports suggested that listening to heavy metal could lead to teenage listeners engaging in devil worship, drugs use, crime or suicide. There were even court cases alleging subliminal messaging; such claims never proved themselves but have faded somewhat with research and practice (C. Baker & Brown 2016).
Many non-metal fans possess negative views of metal music that color their interactions with metal-listening psychiatric patients in both community and institutional settings. Correlations between listening to metal music and violence, antisocial behavior, drug abuse and suicidal thoughts has resulted in some mental health and correctional facilities restricting its access.
Research indicates that while metal music’s aggression and violence may cause concern, long-time fans do not become inured to it over time. Furthermore, its listeners experience both anger and relief while listening to metal which suggests it provides a healthy outlet for these feelings.
Listening to metal may help people with ADHD to focus by creating an atmosphere of calm and control in the brain. Since people with ADHD find it easier to concentrate without distraction from background noise, music with no lyrics or vocals may help ward off distractions more efficiently than music with consistent rhythm and tempo – classical music typically lacking vocals can also provide soothing concentration-increasing sounds; and some electronic genres with repetitive beats have proven successful at raising attention spans.