I often astound people with my ability to remember every single lyric of a song from years ago and to recognise many songs from the first beat.

As a musician and singer, this can be useful, but it also highlights the healing role music has played in my life, particularly as a neurodivergent person.

When our minds are whirring with thoughts — as they so often are with ADHD and autism — beat, cadence, and repetition give us something to hold onto.

In the chaos of life, music fires up our reward pathways so we no longer need to brace as much.

It also provides much-needed soothing and emotional regulation, helping us to shift state and get stuff done, whether we are making music or listening to it.

But any old playlist won't do - our needs for resonance are highly specific!

As I discovered in my research for my latest article, whether they turn to death metal or 18th century music, neurodivergent people often find that the traditionally prescribed "birdsong and binaural beats" don't necessarily do the trick!

And if the music is “wrong”, we are out of there!

Read more in my latest post.