The beginning of playing any gong is a moment of anticipation. You sit comfortably, maybe having already removed your shoes, settling your body into a space of ease. You take a deep breath in, pause, and let the silence hold your intention for what’s about to unfold—creating a calm foundation (especially valuable in managing ADHD symptoms through sound!).
At this point, some might say the universal greeting as taught by Don Conreaux, or maybe you quietly utter your own sacred words… either way, you’re not just hitting a gong; you’re preparing to strike it so gently, you barely touch the surface.
This is priming the gong—a subtle warm-up, like whispering to the instrument before it’s ready to speak or sing.
However… disclosure alert, I Have ADHD, and I don’t always prime my Gongs! Cue dramatic gasps from the gong police!
Priming a gong is absolutely what you’re supposed to do. But since I’m an ADHDer, like many things with ADHD, that process doesn’t always go as planned.
Now, I get it—priming the gong is important. It’s about easing into the sound, gradually building up, and, most importantly, gently warming the metal. This warm-up isn’t just for show—it’s essential for the long-term care of the instrument. A gentle introduction to the gong helps prevent any stress or strain on its surface, ensuring it stays vibrant for years to come.
But here’s where ADHD can throw a curveball. The excitement to dive in and hear those deep, powerful tones often tempts me to skip the patient steps of priming. I’ll admit, my mind can get ahead of itself sometimes.
We ADHDers have brains that are wired to move at different speeds than our neurotypical counterparts, and so you might be reading this thinking, “Hmmm, that sounds like quite hectic energy. Am I sure I want my gong practitioner to be like that?” Well, fear not. Once the work begins—whether it’s at the group gong baths on Totnes High St, the Reiki and sound sessions offered in Bridgetown, Totnes, or even the yoga sessions at Move Forward—the flow state takes over, and you’re in gentle, safe, and experienced hands.
Being a gong player with ADHD certainly brings a unique set of challenges, but it also brings a level of sensitivity that plays a key part in the work I do. I’m tuned into the subtleties of sound and energy, and I’ve found that this heightened awareness allows me to create sessions that resonate on a deeper level. Many clients find this sensitivity especially supportive. I’ll come back to that in a moment.
Let’s talk about what it’s like to juggle the everyday tasks of running a restorative wellness practice. Setting up a room, training, communication with clients and gernerally keeping on top of the business admin side—all of it can feel like a lot when you’ve got ADHD.
However, as with all disabilities, there comes a tax—in the case of ADHD, some of us unaffectionately call this the ‘ADHD tax,’ the price we pay for having neurodivergent brains in a world set up for neurotypicals. For example, I pay more to run an e-commerce website that manages all of my business bookings—something my ADHD self couldn’t function in business without.
My brain like many with ADHD loves to jump from one thing to the next, so over time, I’ve had to develop systems to make sure everything runs smoothly. And while I may not prime my gongs in the conventional way every time, that doesn’t mean the sessions lack structure or care.
In fact, it’s not uncommon to see many fellow neurodivergent clients in my Totnes restorative wellness practice, especially coming into the gong space for sound therapy.
And I think there’s a reason for that… With a holistic approach, sound healing, as some call it, can offer neurodivergent people extra support that traditional methods often overlook.
This is where the research comes in. Sound therapy, particularly through gongs, is gaining recognition as a meaningful support for ADHD. It’s more than just an immersive experience; emerging research shows promise in using sound to calm the mind, reduce stress, and enhance focus for people with ADHD.
For instance, a study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine by Landry et al. (2016) found that sound healing techniques, including those involving gongs and Tibetan singing bowls, led to a significant reduction in cortisol levels—a key stress hormone. For individuals with ADHD, managing stress can be critical to improving focus and emotional regulation, which are often challenging areas (Landry, H., Tarasoff, S., Rowland, D., & Christie, K. (2016). “Effects of Sound Healing on Stress-Related Symptoms.” Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 21(3), 198–203).
Research by Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson at Mindlab International has also explored how low-frequency sounds impact brainwave activity. His findings suggest that these sounds can encourage a shift from the hyperactive beta state to calmer alpha and even theta states, creating the relaxation needed for ADHD minds to focus. Gong therapy, in particular, may help the brain find a natural rhythm that promotes calm and clarity—a rare and welcome change for many of us with ADHD (Lewis-Hodgson, D. (2018). “The Relaxing Effects of Sound Frequencies on ADHD Symptoms.” Mindlab International).
Sound therapy isn’t limited to gongs. Techniques like white noise, nature sounds, and binaural beats provide structured auditory patterns that can help ADHD brains without overstimulating them. A study conducted at Hyogo Prefectural Tokushima University Hospital (2018) noted that children with ADHD showed improved focus when exposed to auditory interventions, although responses vary, as ADHD symptoms are unique to each individual (Tokushima University Hospital. (2018). “Effects of Auditory Stimulation on ADHD Symptoms in Children.” Japanese Journal of Psychiatry and Neurology).
Music therapy, closely related to sound therapy, has also shown positive outcomes for ADHD. Research by Geretsegger et al. (2014), published in Frontiers in Psychology, found that rhythmic sound was effective in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity by providing a structured framework for emotional regulation. These patterns help ADHD brains engage with tasks more easily and improve essential skills like spatial-temporal reasoning and executive function—a powerful benefit for navigating daily life (Geretsegger, M., Elefant, C., Mössler, K. A., & Gold, C. (2014). “Music Therapy for People with ADHD: A Systematic Review.” Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 600).
For some of my customers, this might be the first time they’ve experienced guided stillness in a long time—maybe even ever! Guided stillness? AKA “Oooooh, it’s moving so fast even my ADHD brain can’t keep up. OK, so now you’ve met my pace; now I’ll finally lie still!”
As the body finds physical stillness, the busy, wandering mind has something to focus on—the complex layers of harmonics and overtones from the gong. At first, the left brain, all about logic and structure, tries to follow the intricate patterns. But as the session progresses, something interesting happens. The left brain, overwhelmed by the multi-layered sound, almost gives up and settles down.
This is where the right brain takes over—the part responsible for creativity, intuition, and self-healing. In these moments, the brainwaves begin to slow, moving into lower frequencies associated with deep relaxation and meditation. This shift from the active, analytical beta state into the calmer alpha or even theta states is where profound healing and insight can occur.
Gong baths create a unique way to invite people—especially those of us with ADHD—into a space of deep rest without the usual pressures of meditation. That’s why I take a pragmatic approach in my sessions, aiming not to promise a specific meditative experience but instead allowing each person to respond naturally to the sounds. There’s no “right” way to feel—it’s about being open to whatever the sound and vibrations bring.
So, if you find yourself craving the guided stillness that being in the gong space brings, I recommend joining us in Totnes for one of the fortnightly gong baths or booking a one-on-one Reiki and sound treatment in Bridgetown.
Have you tried sound therapy for ADHD, or are you considering it? Leave a comment below to share your experience, ask questions, or connect—I’d love to hear from you!
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