Beyond the Screen: The Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Digital Stress

• Author(s): G. Vidya Sagar Reddy
• Paper ID: 1710701
• Page: 883-888
• Published Date: 18-09-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 3 September-2025
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I3-1710701-3191

Abstract

The wide use of digital technology has introduced a new class of pervasive, chronic stressors to the mankind. While the psychological and social consequences are well-documented, the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms through which digital stress impacts human physiology were still not clearly understood. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the biological pathways that mediate the effects of digital technologies apart from behavioural perspective. It is evident that the constant connectivity and digital stimuli activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which further leads to continuous glucocorticoid exposure and downstream cellular changes. Neurobiological effects of these modifications include modifications to the dopamine-reward system and additional stimulation of neuroinflammation through the activation of microglia. Furthermore, these activities result in systemic impacts such inflammation, oxidative stress, and changes to the gut-brain axis. Developing focused, physiologically based therapies to mitigate these impacts requires in-depth understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms. To address the biological impact of a digitally-intensive lifestyle, further research is required to find new biomarkers and create therapeutic approaches.

Keywords

Digital Stress, Neurobiology, Cortisol, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Microbiome, Cellular Mechanisms, Molecular Pathways.

Citations

IRE Journals:
G. Vidya Sagar Reddy "Beyond the Screen: The Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Digital Stress" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 3 2025 Page 883-888 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I3-1710701-3191

IEEE:
G. Vidya Sagar Reddy "Beyond the Screen: The Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Digital Stress" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 3, Sep. 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I3-1710701-3191

APA:
G. Vidya Sagar Reddy (2025). Beyond the Screen: The Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Digital Stress. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(3). doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I3-1710701-3191

MLA:
G. Vidya Sagar Reddy "Beyond the Screen: The Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Digital Stress" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 3, Sep. 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I3-1710701-3191

BibTeX

@article{1710701,
author = {G. Vidya Sagar Reddy},
title = {Beyond the Screen: The Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Digital Stress},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {3},
pages = {883-888},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1710701.pdf},
abstract = {The wide use of digital technology has introduced a new class of pervasive, chronic stressors to the mankind. While the psychological and social consequences are well-documented, the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms through which digital stress impacts human physiology were still not clearly understood. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the biological pathways that mediate the effects of digital technologies apart from behavioural perspective. It is evident that the constant connectivity and digital stimuli activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which further leads to continuous glucocorticoid exposure and downstream cellular changes. Neurobiological effects of these modifications include modifications to the dopamine-reward system and additional stimulation of neuroinflammation through the activation of microglia. Furthermore, these activities result in systemic impacts such inflammation, oxidative stress, and changes to the gut-brain axis. Developing focused, physiologically based therapies to mitigate these impacts requires in-depth understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms. To address the biological impact of a digitally-intensive lifestyle, further research is required to find new biomarkers and create therapeutic approaches.},
keywords = {Digital Stress, Neurobiology, Cortisol, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Microbiome, Cellular Mechanisms, Molecular Pathways.},
month = {September}
}