Psychological Impact of Ayurveda-based Panchakarma Therapy on Emotional Regulation and Stress among Individuals Recovering from Unhealthy Habits.

The recovery from unhealthy habits—encompassing substance dependence, maladaptive eating, and sedentary lifestyles—is frequently impeded by dysregulated stress responses and deficits in emotional regulation. Contemporary psychological interventions often prioritize top-down cognitive control, yet emerging evidence suggests that physiological dysregulation (bottom-up processing) plays a critical role in relapse. Objective: This conceptual paper proposes a novel theoretical framework integrating Panchakarma, the five-fold Ayurvedic detoxification therapy, with modern psychological constructs of Emotional Regulation and Perceived Stress. Variables: The study focuses on two primary psychological variables: Emotional Regulation, measured by the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS), and Stress, measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Conceptual Framework: Drawing on the Gut-Brain Axis hypothesis and the Polyvagal Theory, we posit that Ayurvedic biopurification (Shodhana) reduces systemic inflammation and auto- nomic hyperarousal. We hypothesize that specific procedures—namely Virechana (purgation) and Shirodhara (cranial oil flow)—target the somatic roots of Rajas (passion/agitation) and Tamas (inertia), thereby enhancing the biological substrate required for effective emotional regulation. Implications: This paper outlines a systematic research agenda for validating Panchakarma as a psychosomatic intervention, offering a holistic ”Neuro-Enteric Purification Model” for addiction and habit recovery.