Have you ever listened to a song that made your body feel something before your brain even knew why? That’s not a coincidence. Music reaches parts of us that words alone can’t.

This week on The Vibe With Ky Podcast, I had the honor of chatting with composer and producer Ghiya Rushidat, a neurodivergent creative powerhouse who’s changing the way we think about mental health, music, and the healing process. Whether you’re someone with ADHD, anxiety, trauma, or you’re just trying to make it through the day, this episode was full of reminders that healing doesn’t always have to be linear, or quiet.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here:

Meet Ghiya Rushidat

Ghiya Rushidat is an award-winning composer and producer whose work spans everything from concert halls to gaming soundtracks. She’s neurodivergent. She’s Middle Eastern. She’s a trauma survivor. And she’s created a new album called “Chasing Dopamine” that blends her personal healing with emotional, beat-driven soundscapes designed to help you feel, and maybe even move, your way through your own journey.

Official Website: ghiyarushidat.com

Listen to “Chasing Dopamine”:
• Spotify
• Apple Music

Why Music Can Regulate More Than Your Mood

Ghiya explained that music wasn’t just a career, it was survival. As a trauma survivor, she began to understand how music regulates the nervous system. And that insight guided her new project:

“I’m not a therapist, but I’ve done the therapy. And I’ve seen what music did for me.”

She used that awareness to compose tracks that balance rhythm, melody, and neurochemical stimulation to help listeners feel calm, focused, or even energized. She calls it “music that meets your nervous system.”

And it works.

What ADHD and Trauma Have in Common

One of the most striking moments in our conversation was when Ghiya described her diagnosis journey. Like many of us with ADHD, her symptoms weren’t fully recognized until adulthood. What she uncovered was a web of overlapping issues, trauma, anxiety, sensory sensitivity, that often get mistaken for personality quirks.

“I didn’t even realize I was masking. I just thought I was adaptable.”

Sound familiar?

Whether you’re neurodivergent or living with the impact of trauma, it’s easy to lose yourself trying to be what others expect. Ghiya’s story reminds us that masking might keep us safe temporarily, but it disconnects us from who we are.

Why “Chasing Dopamine” Feels Different

Ghiya’s new album isn’t just a listening experience, it’s a sensory one. Each track is structured to work with your body, not against it. Think layered textures, shifting tempos, grounding bass lines, and ambient transitions that stimulate without overwhelming.

She even collaborated with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman on the title track, blending science and sound to create music designed for neurodivergent brains.

“I wanted to create something that people with ADHD or trauma could feel safe listening to. Something that feels like being understood.”

Whether you’re working, walking, or winding down, this album is made to support your system.

🎧 Give it a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

Practical Ways to Use Music for Your Mental Health

Ghiya and I agreed, music is more than background noise. It can be a tool. Here’s how you can start using music intentionally:

  • Set a “focus” playlist for work that avoids lyrics or sudden tempo shifts
  • Use low-frequency bass to help regulate when you’re overstimulated
  • Try rhythmic drumming or movement-based tracks to discharge anxiety
  • Listen to calming ambient tones before bed or during transitions
  • Create emotional release playlists, not everything has to feel “productive”

These don’t replace therapy. But they do offer support between sessions, or when therapy isn’t accessible.

You Don’t Need to Have the Language, Start With the Sound

Sometimes we don’t know what we’re feeling. And sometimes words aren’t enough. That’s where music meets us.

Ghiya’s work proves that you don’t always need to explain your emotions to start healing. Sometimes you just need a soundtrack that understands what your body is trying to say.

If you’re curious about how music can support your mental health, or you simply want to experience something that feels like creative freedom, please go listen to “Chasing Dopamine.” You’ll feel it. You might even feel yourself in it.

Quick Action: How You Can Use This Episode Today

Here’s one simple thing you can do:

Go to Spotify or Apple Music, play “Chasing Dopamine,” and put your phone away.

Listen with intention. See what your body does. See what emotions show up. Let the music hold space for you.

And if it helps you feel something, share that with someone. Or with me.

Final Thoughts and A Reminder

I’m not a therapist. I’m a guy figuring things out like the rest of you. This blog and podcast are about sharing lived experience, not diagnosing or prescribing. Please always talk to a licensed mental health professional when you need support.

Ghiya’s episode reminded me that healing is messy, nonlinear, and sometimes loud. But it’s worth it. And you’re not too broken to start.

Much love. Good vibes. – Ky