How This Ancient Healing Practice May Benefit People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, can be challenging for both children and adults. The condition is characterized by symptoms such as difficulty maintaining focus, impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
While traditional medical treatments like medication and behavioral therapy remain the primary approaches recommended by healthcare professionals, many individuals and families are turning to complementary and alternative therapies to support their overall wellbeing.
One such therapy that has gained increasing attention is Reiki, an ancient Japanese healing practice. While Reiki should never replace conventional medical treatment, emerging research and anecdotal evidence suggest that it may offer valuable benefits for people struggling with ADHD symptoms.
Understanding ADHD and Its Impact
Before exploring how Reiki might help, it is important to understand what ADHD truly is and how it affects those who live with it. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the brain’s ability to regulate attention, manage impulses, and control activity levels. According to mental health professionals, ADHD is not simply an attention deficit but rather a regulation issue.
People with ADHD often experience racing thoughts, difficulty maintaining focus on tasks, poor time management, forgetfulness, impatience, excessive talking, and trouble waiting their turn.
The condition can significantly impact academic performance in children, career advancement in adults, and interpersonal relationships for people of all ages.
What makes ADHD even more challenging is that many people with the condition also experience comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression.
The stress of living with ADHD, the frustration of struggling to meet society’s expectations, and the emotional toll of feeling misunderstood can create additional layers of distress. This is where complementary therapies like Reiki may offer meaningful support.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is an ancient healing technique that originated in Japan in the early 20th century.
The word Reiki translates to “universal life energy” or “universal life force.”
The practice is based on the belief that energy flows through all living things, and that blockages or imbalances in this energy can contribute to physical, emotional, and spiritual distress.
During a Reiki session, a trained practitioner places their hands gently on or just above the client’s body. The practitioner does not manipulate muscles or apply deep pressure like a massage therapist would. Instead, their hands remain relatively still or move slowly along specific areas of the body.
The session typically lasts between 45 and 90 minutes, though shorter sessions can also be effective. Many people describe the experience as deeply relaxing, with sensations of warmth, tingling, or a feeling of peaceful energy flowing through them.
Importantly, Reiki does not require the recipient to hold any particular beliefs for the practice to be beneficial.
Even those skeptical about the concept of “energy” can benefit from the structured, calm environment that Reiki provides. The practice allows the body and mind to enter a state of deep relaxation, which itself can have therapeutic benefits.
The Nervous System and ADHD
To understand how Reiki might help with ADHD, it is helpful to consider the role of the nervous system. Many people with ADHD exist in a state of heightened nervous system arousal.
Their minds are constantly scanning the environment, reacting to stimuli, and processing information at high speed.
In neuroscience terms, this relates to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “rest and recover” response. In people with ADHD, the parasympathetic system often does not get adequate time to activate, keeping the person in a state of chronic stress.
Reiki appears to offer cues of safety to the body through its elements of warmth, stillness, a calm presence, and gentle touch.
These signals can help shift the nervous system from a state of heightened arousal into a more regulated, relaxed state.
By creating this space for the nervous system to “breathe,” Reiki may help counteract the constant activation that characterizes ADHD.
Reiki’s Potential Benefits for ADHD Symptoms
Research on Reiki specifically for ADHD remains limited, yet the evidence for Reiki’s effects on related conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression is growing.
Since stress and anxiety are both common comorbidities with ADHD and can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, these research findings are relevant and encouraging.
Stress and Anxiety Reduction
One of the most well-documented benefits of Reiki is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
A meta-analysis published in the journal BMC Palliative Care found that short-term Reiki interventions and moderate-frequency treatments have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing anxiety in patients with chronic conditions and in the general adult population.
The study examined multiple randomized controlled trials and concluded that Reiki therapy had a significant effect on anxiety intervention.
For people with ADHD, this stress-reducing benefit is particularly significant.
Stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms, making concentration even more difficult and increasing impulsive behaviors.
By providing relief from stress and anxiety through regular Reiki sessions, individuals may find that their overall ADHD symptoms become more manageable. The calming effect of Reiki may also help prevent the anxiety that often accompanies the struggle to succeed academically or professionally when living with ADHD.
Improved Focus and Concentration
Many individuals with ADHD who have tried Reiki report improved ability to focus and concentrate for days following a treatment.
This benefit is thought to occur because Reiki promotes a sense of calm and mental clarity.
When the mind and body are calm, they are better able to direct attention and concentrate on tasks.
For someone with ADHD, whose brain naturally operates at a faster pace and shifts between topics quickly, the calming effect of Reiki can create the space needed to maintain focus.
Additionally, some Reiki practitioners believe that the practice helps clear mental clutter and reduce the constant “mental noise” or racing thoughts that characterize ADHD. One person with ADHD described the experience after Reiki as finally achieving quiet in their head, where previously there had been constant chatter of thoughts competing for attention.
While this benefit may sound subjective, people with ADHD consistently report this experience across different Reiki practitioners and settings.
Improved Sleep Quality
Another common challenge for people with ADHD is sleep disturbance.
Racing thoughts, difficulty winding down, and physical restlessness can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Reiki has been associated with improvements in sleep quality.
By promoting relaxation and calming the nervous system, Reiki sessions can help create the conditions necessary for better sleep. Since quality sleep is essential for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall wellbeing, this benefit can have cascading positive effects on ADHD symptoms.
Emotional Regulation and Reduced Impulsivity
ADHD is often accompanied by difficulty regulating emotions. People with ADHD may experience intense emotional reactions, rapid mood shifts, or struggle to control impulsive responses. Reiki is thought to help balance emotions and promote emotional regulation.
The practice provides a calm, non-judgmental space for the body to process emotions and release tension. Over time, regular Reiki sessions may help individuals develop a stronger ability to recognize their emotional states and respond more thoughtfully rather than reactively.
Enhanced Overall Wellbeing
A large-scale effectiveness trial examining the effects of Reiki found that a single session resulted in statistically significant improvements across multiple variables related to physical and psychological health. The study included 1,411 Reiki sessions conducted at private practices across the United States. Results showed significant improvements in positive affect, anxiety, depression, overall well-being, and numerous other measures of health and wellness.
While this study did not specifically focus on ADHD, these improvements are highly relevant to people with ADHD, as they address many of the co-morbid conditions and symptoms that often accompany the disorder.
The Scientific Evidence
It is important to acknowledge that while research on Reiki is growing, the scientific evidence specifically for ADHD remains limited. However, the evidence for Reiki’s effects on stress and anxiety, which are major factors in ADHD, is increasingly robust.
A review published in Frontiers in Psychology examined the evidence for Reiki’s effects on mental health symptoms and concluded that Reiki demonstrates therapeutic effects over placebo for some mental health symptoms, particularly in treating clinically relevant levels of stress and anxiety. The review found high-level evidence for Reiki’s effectiveness with stress and depression, and moderate to high evidence for anxiety.
Researchers emphasize that while individual studies may be small, the cumulative body of research provides preliminary support for Reiki as a complementary therapy for anxiety, stress, and depression.
More research specifically examining Reiki’s effects on ADHD symptoms is needed, but the benefits demonstrated for these related conditions suggest potential value for people with ADHD.
Reiki as a Complementary Approach
It is crucial to emphasize that Reiki should be used as a complementary therapy alongside traditional medical treatments, not as a replacement for them.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends treating ADHD with FDA-approved medications and behavioral interventions.
For most people with ADHD, a comprehensive treatment approach that may include medication, therapy, behavioral strategies, and lifestyle modifications provides the best outcomes.
However, for those seeking additional support and a natural, non-pharmacological approach, Reiki can be a valuable addition to an existing treatment plan.
The practice is generally safe and carries no known negative side effects. It is non-invasive and can be adapted to individual comfort levels, including options for hands-off sessions if touch is not preferred. For children with ADHD who struggle to remain still during longer sessions, shorter Reiki treatments can be utilized, with sessions gradually increasing in length as the child becomes more comfortable.
What to Expect During a Reiki Session
If you or your child are interested in trying Reiki, understanding what to expect can help ease any concerns. During a typical session, you will be invited to lie down on a comfortable table in a calm, peaceful environment.
You will remain fully clothed, and a light blanket may be provided for warmth and comfort.
Soft lighting, gentle music, or pleasant scents may create a soothing atmosphere.
The Reiki practitioner will place their hands gently on or above various parts of your body.
There is no need to do anything or think about anything in particular.
Some people fall asleep during sessions. Others remain quiet and meditative.
Some experience physical sensations like warmth or tingling. Others simply feel a sense of deep peace and relaxation.
All experiences are normal and valid. Reiki does not require you to believe in anything for it to be effective; it works through the body’s natural ability to relax and heal when given permission to do so.
Finding a Qualified Reiki Practitioner
When seeking out a Reiki practitioner, it is important to find someone qualified and trained.
You can find Reiki practitioners through wellness centers, health food stores that offer alternative therapies, or by searching online directories. Costs typically range from £50 to £100 per session depending on location and practitioner experience, making it relatively affordable compared to many other therapeutic interventions.
Integrating Reiki Into an ADHD Management Plan
For those interested in exploring Reiki, here are some suggestions for integrating it into an overall ADHD management strategy:
Begin by scheduling an initial session and noting how you feel in the days following. Keep a simple log of any changes you observe in your mood, energy level, focus, sleep quality, or anxiety levels. Some people benefit from regular monthly sessions, while others prefer weekly treatments initially and then taper back as they notice improvements.
Discuss your interest in Reiki with your healthcare provider or therapist.
While they may not be experts in Reiki, they can help ensure that you are maintaining your primary treatment plan and can observe any positive changes that result from adding Reiki to your routine.
Consider combining Reiki with other complementary approaches such as mindfulness practices, gentle movement, or creative activities that support nervous system regulation.
Be patient.
While some people feel immediate benefits from a single Reiki session, others notice changes gradually over several sessions. Benefits often accumulate with regular practice.
Limitations and Important Considerations
While the potential benefits of Reiki for ADHD are encouraging, it is important to maintain realistic expectations.
Reiki is not a cure for ADHD.
It does not address the underlying neurobiological differences that characterize the condition.
Instead, Reiki appears to work by helping the nervous system regulate, reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting overall wellbeing.
These benefits can make living with ADHD more manageable, but they do not eliminate the condition.
Additionally, research on Reiki specifically for ADHD is still in its infancy. Most of the evidence comes from studies examining Reiki’s effects on stress, anxiety, and depression.
While these findings are relevant and promising, larger, more rigorous studies specifically examining Reiki for ADHD would strengthen the evidence base.
Finally, Reiki should never be used as a substitute for necessary medical treatment.
If you or your child have been diagnosed with ADHD, continue to work with qualified healthcare providers. Any decision to start, stop, or change ADHD treatment should be made in consultation with your physician or mental health provider.
Conclusion
For individuals and families seeking to support ADHD management through complementary approaches, Reiki offers a gentle, safe, and potentially beneficial option. While research specifically on Reiki for ADHD remains limited, the growing evidence for Reiki’s effectiveness in reducing stress and anxiety, combined with numerous anecdotal reports from people with ADHD who have benefited from the practice, suggests that it deserves consideration as a complementary therapy.
By promoting nervous system regulation, reducing stress and anxiety, and enhancing overall wellbeing, Reiki may help individuals with ADHD manage their symptoms more effectively and improve their quality of life.
When integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes medical care, therapy, and behavioral strategies, Reiki can be a valuable tool for supporting those living with ADHD.
If you are interested in exploring Reiki, consider consulting with a qualified practitioner and discuss the option with your healthcare provider. With realistic expectations and a commitment to maintaining your primary ADHD treatment plan, Reiki may offer meaningful support on your journey toward greater peace, focus, and wellbeing.
References and Further Reading
BMC Palliative Care: Therapeutic effects of Reiki on interventions for anxiety: a meta-analysis https://bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12904-024-01439-x
Frontiers in Psychology: Does Reiki Benefit Mental Health Symptoms Above Placebo? https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897312/full
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: A Large-Scale Effectiveness Trial of Reiki for Physical and Psychological Health https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2019.0022
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4147026/
National Institutes of Health: Stress and Anxiety Reduction Effects of a Reiki Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9377362/
Reiki.org: Reiki, the Scientific Evidence https://www.reiki.org/articles/reiki-scientific-evidence
ADHD Magazine: My Experience with Reiki Sessions for Stress https://www.additudemag.com/reiki-could-this-alternative-treatment-help-adult-add/
Center for Reiki Research http://www.centerforreikiresearch.org/