Social Media Anxiety as Dushi Visha: A Toxicological Reinterpretation of Digital Stress Through the Lens of Ayurvedic Toxicology

Excessive use of social media is now linked to a new type of mental problem called social media anxiety. Symptoms include fear of missing out (FOMO), constant need for online validation, irritability when offline, and poor concentration. Modern medicine calls this problematic social media use or anxiety disorder. However, the Ayurvedic branch of Agadatantra (toxicology) offers a better explanation. This communication explains how chronic social media use acts like Dushi Vishaa slow, cumulative, low-potency poison described in classical texts. It primarily blocks ManovahaSrotas (mind channels) and depletes Ojas (mental resilience). Understanding this helps in simple, practical management: first remove the cause (digital detox), then use Agada Kalpas, Medhya Rasayana (memory-enhancing herbs). Ojas building, Sattvavajaya (mind training)