Household item Love Island's Dr Alex says helps him sleep amid ADHD diagnosis

Love Island Dr Alex George has shared the surprising household item that helps him sleep at night. Appearing on the ADHD Chatter Podcast, hosted by UNILAD and LADBible founder Alex Partridge, Dr Alex said his hairdryer is the unlikely piece of equipment that ‘most represents’ his ADHD.

“There’s actually a funny story behind this, this is the exact hairdryer, the mode of one that relaxes me sound-wise the most,” the NHS doctor said. He then revealed his own inking of a hairdryer on his bicep.

He explained: “The white noise from this really relaxes me. I said to you in the episode that as a child I didn’t sleep well at all.

“The one time that I would sleep, mum, as you would be, drying your hair after a shower or whatever, but then I’d fall asleep. The white noise is amazing for calming."

He added: "So white noise, and brown noise, which is the other common one as well, the reason we believe we find it so relaxing is that when we’re in the womb there’s placental blood flow, and if you think of this ‘whoosh whoosh’ it makes - it’s white noise, it’s brown noise. It’s relaxing.

“So as a child with ADHD it really, really helped. I’ve found throughout my life that white noise is so relaxing.” Dr Alex went on to recommend ‘brown noise’ more than white noise, which he describes as ‘calmer’.

The video has been viewed over 44,400 times, with plenty of people leaving comments. Ruby said: “Brown noise on YouTube works for me. I need light & sound to sleep. Hate the dark.”

Iisalannabel wrote: “I sleep with a fan, but several years ago I somehow got into the habit for placing a hairdryer on near me and the noise and vibrations on the bed would help me sleep.. I stopped doing this quickly.”

Luna replied: “I have to have the sound of rain on or the sound of a tumble dryer.. Room has to be pitch black too." Courtney said: “I do this too! Just been diagnosed with adhd and never heard of anyone else doing this.”

Vicky added: “I use a fan. Even in the winter.” Candace put: “I keep a blow dryer by my bed! My parents use to hide the blow dryer from me when I was growin up!”

According to Psychology Today, white noise and other types are commonly defined as moderate, consistent sound containing many frequencies with equal intensities. Several noises labelled with other colours, like brown or pink, also depends on pitch.

In a study published in November 2022, research found that background stimulation made by white noise “is a beneficial non-pharmacological treatment for preschoolers with ADHD.”

On the flip side, brown noise is a low-frequency background, which some believe can help them focus and feel calmer. Examples of brown noise include the sound of waves crashing against the shore, thunder, wind blowing through trees, and a running shower.

According to Healthline, some people with ADHD believe it can help them focus and feel calmer. However, most of the claims are anecdotal.