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@article{204418,
        author = {Dr Surajkumar Arun Bangar and Dr Bhagyashree Gopal Puranik},
        title = {Digital Reward Dependency and Raja–Tama Dominance: An Integrative Review of Neurobehavioral Addiction Through Ayurvedic Psychology},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {2720-2726},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=204418},
        abstract = {Digital technologies have revolutionized communication, education, entertainment, and social interaction. Smartphones, social media platforms, short-form video applications, online gaming, and streaming services have become indispensable components of contemporary life. While these technologies provide substantial benefits, excessive engagement has contributed to the emergence of digital behavioral dependency. Contemporary neuroscience attributes this phenomenon to repeated activation of dopamine mediated reward pathways, resulting in reinforcement of compulsive digital behaviors. Prolonged exposure to digital stimuli has been associated with reduced attention span, sleep disturbances, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and impaired productivity.
Ayurveda provides a comprehensive framework for understanding human behavior through the concepts of Manas, Triguna, Prajnaparadha, and Manasika Doshas. Raja and Tama are regarded as the two Manasika Doshas whose increase (Vriddhi) underlies most behavioral disturbances. Excessive stimulation seeking, novelty seeking, and reward oriented behaviors may be correlated with Raja predominance, whereas dependency, passivity, cognitive dullness, and impaired self-regulation resemble Tama predominance. Persistent digital engagement may therefore contribute to Raja–Tama predominance and attenuation of Sattva, adversely affecting mental well being.
This review explores the neurobiological basis of digital reward dependency and examines its conceptual correlation with Raja–Tama dominance from an Ayurvedic psychological perspective. The roles of Prajnaparadha, Asatmya Indriyartha Samyoga, Sattvavajaya Chikitsa, and Ojas (mental immunity) are discussed as important frameworks for understanding and managing digital age behavioral disorders.},
        keywords = {Digital Addiction, Dopaminergic Reinforcement, Behavioral Dependency, Raja Guna, Tama Guna, Manasika Dosha, Ayurvedic Psychology, Prajnaparadha, Sattvavajaya, Ojas},
        month = {June},
        }