Understanding social media addiction through Ayurveda, Yoga, and Neuroscience: A narrative review anchored in Indian...

Social Media Addiction (SMA), a pervasive behavior disorder of the modern digital age, particularly in youth, is characterized by compulsive internet use and disrupted cognitive control. This narrative review integrates evidence from modern neuroscience and ancient Indian mind-body knowledge systems, namely Ayurveda, Yoga, and spiritual scripture on the basis of the Bhagavad Gita, Katha Upanishad, Charak Samhita, and Yoga Sutras. Databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and JSTOR were searched using keywords such as "social media addiction," "Neurobiological mechanisms," "Ayurveda," "Indian Knowledge Systems," and "Yoga and mindfulness,". PRISMA-based screening of the studies was conducted for the period 1994-2024. Included peer-reviewed articles were thematically categorized into neuroscience-based mechanisms of SMA, mind-body interventions (Yoga, mindfulness), and Ayurvedic models (Pradnyaparadh, Triguna, Satvavajaya Chikitsa, and Medhya Rasayana). This transdisciplinary overview illustrates the potential of integrative approaches that align neuroplastic techniques with culture-informed models of therapeutics. The aim is to comprehend how neurobiological processes like compromised executive function, reward sensitivity, and brain development intersect with ancient Indian mind-body balance systems, moral living, and mental self-regulation. By considering empirical neuroscience as well as established frameworks in Indian medicine and philosophy, it suggests an improved, holistic approach to understanding and treating social media addiction.