Drumming, ADHD And The Space In Between.

Continuing from last week’s piece on the benefits of drumming, this blog explores the links between ADHD and drumming.

ADHD is a complex topic which permeates modern media and psychology. To what extent and where it overlaps with other emotional struggles is yet to be clearly defined but it is most definitely ‘a thing’.

Nurture, nature – who knows, it often feels like we are just scratching the surface. I’m sure there’ll be a social media influencer or academic ‘know all’ that can offer a clear definitive piece of advice but in essence we still know very little. Anyway, this blog is not about the nuances of ADHD and mental health, it’s about drumming.

I am a drummer and have the ADHD badge and without a doubt find that drumming helps me to feel calmer in an almost meditative way. There is something uniquely regulating about the physical ‘locked in’ feeling especially when working with a metronome. It’s a comforting foundation to then apply polyrhythms or accents with all four of my limbs. I can think with my arms and legs to calm my intellectual mind. It’s also often a huge release and relief from my (at times) intense academic study or clinical work. I can let go.

Research also (kind of) backs this up. One study (The effect of learning to drum on behavior and brain function in autistic adolescents) found that structured drumming programs helped ASD children with ADHD improve their ability to focus and regulate impulsive behaviours.  Additionally, one of the biggest struggles with ADHD types is maintaining focus. Drumming was found to potentially offer a structured, repetitive activity that naturally engages attention. When drumming, we have to stay in the rhythm, follow patterns, and sometimes even sync up with others.

This requires concentration, but it’s engaging, physical and fun, which makes it easier for the often-scattered brain to stay on track.  In essence, drumming offers a way to let it out in a positive, controlled way. Unlike activities that require sitting still or staying quiet, drumming encourages movement and creativity through a physical, full-body activity whilst engaging arms, hands, legs and other core muscles.

This physicality can help with hyperactivity by giving the body an outlet for its need to move. Over time, this can reduce restlessness and create a sense of calm through entrainment and emotional regulation. Some suggest this is due to the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to motivation, attention, and mood.

Low dopamine levels are associated with ADHD, so activities like drumming that boost dopamine can be particularly beneficial. So, in essence, the research does suggest that whacking a drum can help us to focus, regulate and find an inner calmness, especially in the fast-paced world we now live in. It also gets us away from technology, a big win!

Grab a pair of drumsticks and hit something!

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Adam Ficek hosts  'Tonic Music' a monthly show on Totally Wired Radio. Each show features Adam spinning the finest in funk, soul, beat, rock, latin, jazz, and everything in between — alongside insightful conversations with guests exploring where music meets mental health.

You can listen again to any of the previous shows via Tonic Music's Mixcloud page and also on our YouTube channel.