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The Gut–Mind–Dosha connection: A Literature review on Tridosha imbalance, Emotional regulation, and Health psychology

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Author Affiliations

  • 1K.S. Saket P.G. College Ayodhya, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • 2K.S. Saket P.G. College Ayodhya, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 15, Issue (2), Pages 15-21, April,14 (2026)

Abstract

This literature review explores the complex interplay between the gut–brain axis, the Ayurvedic framework of Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), and their influence on emotional regulation and health psychology. Interdisciplinary findings suggest that disruptions in the gut–mind axis affect both psychological and digestive functioning—a relationship long acknowledged in Ayurveda. Imbalances in the Tridoshas correspond to specific psychological patterns: excessive Vata is linked to anxiety and insomnia, heightened Pitta to irritability and anger, and dominant Kapha to lethargy and depression. Such emotional dysregulation, arising from doshic imbalance, compromises both physiological equilibrium and psychological well-being. Contemporary research in health psychology and neuroscience corroborates these insights, emphasizing mechanisms such as microbiome–neurotransmitter dynamics and stress-related hormonal pathways. Bridging Ayurvedic theory with modern health psychology points toward holistic and individualized approaches that address both mental and physical health. This review integrates clinical and theoretical perspectives to propose a unified framework for understanding gut–mind interactions through the lens of doshic balance, with significant implications for prevention and treatment of mental and digestive disorders.

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