Introduction
Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions globally, characterized by excessive worry, fear, restlessness, and impaired daily functioning.1 Contemporary neuroscience attributes anxiety to complex interactions involving neurotransmitter imbalances, dysregulation of stress-response systems, neuroinflammation, and altered neural circuitry. Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine originating in India, offers a holistic framework for understanding mental health through the concepts of Manas (mind), Triguna (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas), and Manas Dosha. These principles provide valuable insights into the psychological and behavioral manifestations of anxiety and may complement modern neurobiological perspectives.
Concept of manas dosha in ayurveda
Ayurveda considers the mind (Manas) an essential component of health, functioning in close association with the body, senses, and consciousness.2 Mental health is governed by the three fundamental qualities known as Triguna:
- Sattva: Purity, clarity, harmony, wisdom, and emotional balance
- Rajas: Activity, stimulation, desire, agitation, and emotional reactivity
- Tamas: Inertia, ignorance, lethargy, confusion, and mental dullness
Among these, Sattva is considered beneficial and essential for psychological well-being, whereas Rajas and Tamas are regarded as the primary Manas Doshas (mental disturbances). An imbalance of these doshas disrupts mental equilibrium and contributes to the development of psychological disorders. In anxiety disorders, excessive Rajas is believed to play a dominant role, producing symptoms such as restlessness, fear, excessive thinking, irritability, and emotional instability. Tamas may contribute to cognitive confusion, reduced concentration, and impaired decision-making, particularly in chronic anxiety states.
Neurobiological basis of anxiety
Modern neuroscience identifies several mechanisms involved in anxiety disorders:
Neurotransmitter dysregulation:
Anxiety is associated with alterations in neurotransmitter systems, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Reduced inhibitory GABA activity and imbalances in serotonergic signaling contribute to heightened neural excitability and persistent anxiety symptoms.
Hyperactivity of the amygdala:
The amygdala, a key brain structure involved in fear processing, often exhibits increased activity in individuals with anxiety disorders. Hyperactivation of this region amplifies threat perception and emotional responses, leading to excessive worry and fear.
HPA axis dysregulation:
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates the body's response to stress. Chronic activation of this system results in elevated cortisol levels, which can impair emotional regulation, cognitive function, and resilience to stress.
Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress:
Emerging evidence suggests that chronic inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to anxiety pathogenesis by affecting neuronal communication, neuroplasticity, and brain function.
Correlating manas dosha with anxiety neurobiology
The Ayurvedic concept of Manas Dosha offers a framework that parallels several neurobiological findings in anxiety disorders.
Rajas and neural hyperarousal:
The characteristics of aggravated Rajas—mental agitation, excessive activity, emotional instability, and heightened sensory responsiveness—closely resemble the neural hyperarousal observed in anxiety disorders. Increased amygdala activity and excessive sympathetic nervous system activation may represent modern physiological correlates of Rajasic imbalance.
Tamas and cognitive dysfunction:
Tamasic manifestations such as confusion, reduced mental clarity, and impaired judgment may correspond to cognitive deficits associated with chronic stress, neuroinflammation, and altered prefrontal cortex functioning. Persistent anxiety often leads to difficulties in concentration and decision-making, reflecting Tamasic influences.
Sattva and psychological resilience:
Sattva is associated with emotional stability, clarity, self-awareness, and adaptability. From a neurobiological perspective, Sattvic qualities may be linked to healthy neurotransmitter balance, effective stress regulation, optimal prefrontal cortex function, and enhanced neuroplasticity. Promoting Sattva is therefore considered a central therapeutic goal in Ayurvedic mental health care.
Ayurvedic therapeutic approaches
Management of anxiety in Ayurveda focuses on reducing Rajas and Tamas while enhancing Sattva. Therapeutic strategies include:
- Medhya rasayana herbs such as Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), and Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Dietary modifications emphasizing fresh, nourishing, and Sattvic foods
- Yoga and meditation, which improve emotional regulation and reduce stress responses
- Pranayama practices, which promote autonomic balance and mental calmness
- Lifestyle regulation through adequate sleep, mindfulness, and stress management
Conclusion
The Ayurvedic concepts of Manas Dosha provide a sophisticated framework for understanding mental health and anxiety disorders.3 The predominance of Rajas and Tamas parallels modern neurobiological mechanisms such as neural hyperarousal, neurotransmitter imbalance, HPA-axis dysregulation, and cognitive dysfunction. By emphasizing the cultivation of Sattva through herbal therapies, dietary practices, and mind–body interventions, Ayurveda offers a holistic approach that complements contemporary neuroscience. Integrating these traditional insights with modern research may enhance understanding and management of anxiety disorders, supporting both psychological resilience and overall well-being.
Refernces:
- Behere PB, Das A, Yadav R, Behere AP. Ayurvedic concepts related to psychotherapy. Indian J Psychiatry. 2013;55(Suppl 2):S310-S314. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.105556 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3705701/
- Balsavar A, Deshpande SN. Hallucinations in the classical Indian system of Ayurveda: A brief overview. Indian J Psychiatry. 2014;56(4):325-329. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.146510 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4279288/
- Bhati R, Mandal M, Singh T. Ancient Indian perspectives and practices of mental well-being. Front Psychol. 2025;16:1616802. Published 2025 Jun 3. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1616802 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12170618/