[courseofaction]

A cognitive psych professor of mine couldn't work without music playing to 'occupy a certain part of his brain', almost always prog rock. Didn't seem to be holding him back - sometimes a mask is a workable solution. :)

[xanathar]

I am the same.

Some things (code, writing docs) I can only do them with music in the background, usually music that is either downtempo, instrumental or both (for the most part Pink Floyd, Sting, Mogwai, Morcheeba or several jazz/fusion artists).

Without music it 10x harder for me to get those activities going.

[comprev]

Since being diagnosed and medicated it’s the total opposite for me.

Before I needed some background music - electronic or hip-hop in any language but English (to avoid my brain focusing on the lyrics).

Now with meds I sit in silence all day.

[rpozarickij]

Nowadays it's as if silence creates some type of mental pressure inside me.

I found this to work really well in many different situations: https://youtu.be/P48QELwruQs

[bee_rider]

John Von Neumann famously preferred chaotic background noise while working. I think most of us would be happy to trade brains with him.