Asian Journal of Psychiatry
February 1, 2024
Matcheri S Keshavan, Hemant Bhargav
12 citations
Ancient Eastern philosophies, including Vedic, Upanishadic, and Buddhist traditions, have long argued that the individual self is illusory, proposing either a no-self or a universal Self, and that the perceived universe is an illusion (Maya) with only the knower (Brahman) as real—a view that resonates with modern quantum theory. In contrast, Western philosophy, shaped by Cartesian dualism, has pursued an individualist view of the self. Recent psychological research converges with Eastern perspectives, highlighting the role of self-understanding, metacognition, and mindfulness in addressing mental afflictions. Several contemporary Western psychotherapeutic models reflect these ancient insights, but further empirical testing and development of such approaches are needed.
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
June 1, 2025
Matcheri S Keshavan, Hemant Bhargav
4 citations
Eastern spiritual traditions, including Hindu and other ancient practices, offer pathways to well-being through self-awareness (knowledge), selfless action (karma yoga), and compassion (bhakti yoga). Yogic meditative practices (dhyana yoga) combine ethical behavior, postures, breath control, and meditation to master physiological and psychological processes. These practices require sustained effort (abhyasa) and detachment (vairagya) to overcome ego hindrances. The paper reviews these concepts and connects them to modern psychology and neuroscience, noting that focused attention, open-monitoring, and transcendental meditation show somewhat distinctive neural correlates with brain oscillations and circuits. These approaches may be differentially effective across medical and psychiatric disorders. Gaps in knowledge are identified, and a framework for future research in positive psychology and psychiatry is proposed.
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
January 1, 2026
Hemant Bhargav, Urvakhsh Meherwan Mehta, Ashish Kumar et al.
Pranayama, the ancient yogic practice of breath control, acts as a natural method of neuromodulation by influencing autonomic functions, brainwave patterns, and neuroendocrine responses. Evidence from clinical, neuroimaging, and psychophysiological studies shows that techniques such as slow breathing, rapid breathing, and unilateral nostril breathing stimulate the vagus nerve, regulate the autonomic nervous system, and shift hemispheric brain dominance—mechanisms similar to contemporary approaches like transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation. Pranayama offers an accessible, self-directed alternative for managing stress, enhancing cognition, and promoting emotion regulation. Significant knowledge gaps remain, including the need for well-powered, randomized-controlled studies to understand durability of effects, optimal protocols, and mechanisms of action.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
August 15, 2022
Ryan L Henner, Matcheri S Keshavan, Kevin P Hill
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental illness with few effective treatments and high dropout rates. Psychedelics, often paired with psychotherapy, are being explored as potential treatments. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is in FDA phase III clinical trials for PTSD; it may work by increasing empathy and reducing amygdala activation during therapy. Classical psychedelics like psilocybin may work through subjective transformative experiences and brain network changes, though they have not been clinically studied for PTSD. In recent human studies, MDMA-assisted therapy significantly improved PTSD symptoms with good safety. Direct clinical evidence for classical psychedelics in PTSD is lacking, but supports such a trial. Studies remain small with well-screened participants.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England)
June 1, 2016
Urvakhsh Meherwan Mehta, Matcheri S Keshavan, Bangalore N Gangadhar
Schizophrenia involves disconnection at neural, mental, and social levels, leading to poor quality of life due to cognitive deficits and negative symptoms that resist standard antipsychotics. Yoga may improve quality of life by targeting these symptoms. This paper proposes a model integrating neuroscience evidence: meditation styles may strengthen prefrontal brain networks, improving neurocognition and mentalizing; coordinated physical postures with a teacher may enhance social cognition and empathy via the mirror neuron system. Oxytocin is suggested as a mediator for social connectedness. The model offers clinical and heuristic implications.