Yoga and the Mind: An Interdisciplinary Review of Its Philosophical, Psychological, and Neural Foundations
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS December 13, 2025 Hrnoor Bhatia, Prof. Kawal Gill
A systematic review of research from 2000 to 2024 synthesizes philosophical, neuroscientific, and clinical perspectives on yoga's therapeutic value for mental health. Modern studies indicate that yoga balances the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, vagal tone, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory pathways, reducing stress and aiding emotional regulation. Neuroimaging shows structural and functional changes in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and insula. Psychologically, yoga improves mindfulness, resilience, and self-efficacy. Clinically, it alleviates symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, and occupational burnout, while promoting well-being and quality of life across ages. The review, based on fifty-five selected articles, presents yoga as both a traditional philosophical system and an evidence-based, inexpensive intervention, though it notes limitations such as small sample sizes and heterogeneous methodology.