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@article{204431,
        author = {Dr Surajkumar Arun Bangar and Dr Bhagyashree Gopal Puranik},
        title = {Reel Culture and Short-Form Content Consumption: An Ayurvedic Perspective on Emerging Mental Health Challenges among Young Adults},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {2735-2742},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=204431},
        abstract = {The rapid emergence of short-form video platforms such as Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook Reels, and similar applications has transformed digital consumption patterns among young adults. These platforms provide highly stimulating audiovisual content designed to maximize user engagement through endless scrolling and rapid content delivery. While short-form content offers entertainment, education, and social connectivity, excessive consumption has raised concerns regarding attention deficits, emotional instability, sleep disturbances, reduced productivity, social comparison, and compulsive scrolling behavior.
Contemporary neuroscience suggests that repeated exposure to highly rewarding digital stimuli activates dopamine-mediated reward pathways, reinforcing repetitive viewing behavior and increasing digital dependency. The phenomenon commonly referred to as "doom scrolling" or compulsive reel consumption has emerged as an important behavioral concern affecting mental health and cognitive performance.
Ayurveda offers a comprehensive framework for understanding such behavioral disturbances through concepts including Manas (mind), Triguna (three psychological qualities), Prajnaparadha (intellectual blasphemy or crime against wisdom), Asatmya Indriyartha Samyoga (inappropriate sensory engagement), and Manasika Doshas (psychological morbidities). Excessive sensory stimulation through continuous short-form content may aggravate Raja through excitement, desire, and restlessness, while prolonged exposure may subsequently increase Tama through dependency, mental fatigue, and cognitive dullness. Persistent imbalance may ultimately reduce Sattva and affect psychological well-being.
The present review explores the impact of reel culture and short-form content consumption on mental health through an Ayurvedic perspective and discusses preventive strategies based on Swasthavritta (preventive and social medicine), Yoga, meditation, and Sattvavajaya Chikitsa (psychotherapy for mind control).},
        keywords = {Reel Culture, Short-Form Content, Social Media, Mental Health, Raja Guna, Tama Guna, Prajnaparadha, Young Adults, Attention Span, Ayurvedic Psychology},
        month = {June},
        }