Nikesh Lagun (born October 24, 2005) is a Nepalese independent researcher, and productivitinterdisciplinary writer known for developing Cognitive Drive Architecture (CDA), an proposed singer-songwriter. He is known for origtructural field within cognitive psychology that models the internal configuration of cognitive effort and task engagement ^[1][2]. His founating Cognitive Drive Architecturedational contribution to the field is (CDA)Lagunian Dynamics, a first-principles framthework for modeling cognitive effort and performance regulationory that formalizes the mechanics of Drive using six interacting system variables ^[12]. HiLagun's academic work spans cognitive science, educational research, neuroscience, and systems theory ^[1][2][9]. AlIn additiongside to his research, Lagun engages in he is also active as a songwritinger, visual artist, and public communicator on productivity communication and performance ^[3][4][5].

Early Life and Education

Nikesh Lagun was born in Dhading Bensi, located in the Dhading District, of Nepal, to Bhakta Bahadur Sunar and Sita Bishwakarma ^[25].  He attehas one older brother, Ayush Lagun, who is the CEO of AlocaSpace ^[5].

He attended Dhading Boarding Secondary School before relmocatving to Kathmandu in 2018, ^[2]. Twhere, he completntinued his secondary ededucation at Kantipur English Academy and Southwestern School and. He later graduated completed his higher secondary studies (Plus Two from) at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu ^[25].

HLagun develope began writing songs at the age of d an early interest in music, beginning songwriting at age twelve and later learneding to play guitar, drums, and keyboard ^[3]. His early musical influences included Ed Sheeran, Sajjan Raj Vaidya, Samir Shrestha, and One Direction ^[3]. In parallel, Lagun exploredddition to music, he engaged in visual art, creatproducing mechanical sketches, concept art, and anime-inspired illustrations .

During his high school years, Lagun's curiosity extendrawingsed into academic research, marking the beginning of his work in cognitive theory and systems modeling ^[2].

In 2022, he was awareceivded the Outstanding AwardOutstanding fAwaromd by the Private and Boarding Schools' Organization Nepal (PABSON) for in recognition of his academic achievement duringperformance in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE-–2078) ^[85].

Career

Research and Publications

Nikesh Lagun’s principalmary academic contribution is the developestablishment of CognitiveCognitive Drive Architecture (CDA), a Dprive Architecture (CDA), which proposesoposed structural field within cognitive psychology that models cognitive effort as an emerges from dynamicnt property of real-time system configurations rather than staticfixed motivational traits ^[1][52]. CDA addresses phenomena such as drive ignition, attentional stability, and performance volatariability through a strformalized, systems-based framework ^[1][2]. Its foundational model is known as Lagunian Dynamics, which intural and control-theoretic lensroduces six interacting variables across the domains of ignition, tension, and flux to structurally define Drive ^[12][5].

IBeyon addition tod CDA, heLagun has authored several independent studies, inc across cognitive science, education, and neuroscience, including:

• Cognitive Thermostat Theory (CTT): A Control-Theoretic Model of Drive Ignition in Cognitive Drive Architecture (CDA) (2025), introducing a control-theoretic model for ignition dynamics ^[1].
• Lagun’s Law and the Foundations of Cognitive Drive Architecture: A First Principles Theory of Effort and Performance (2025), offering a first-principles model of cognitive effort ^[5].
• A Review of Social Media's Psychological Effects on Young Adults' Mental Health (2025), analyzing cognitive and emotional impacts of digital platforms ^[6].
• Evaluating variation in school dropout rates in rural Nepal: A statistical study (2024), a statistical study of education retention ^[7].
• Study of the Effects of Different Mechanical Mishaps or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on Brain Regions (2024), a review of neurological trauma ^[8].
• Observation of Dominant and Recessive Character in Humans (2023), an observational study on inheritance of traits ^[8].
• Lagun’s Law and the Foundations of Cognitive Drive Architecture: A First Principles Theory of Effort and Performance (2025), a formal exposition of Lagunian Dynamics and the core mechanics of CDA ^[2].
• Cognitive Thermostat Theory (CTT): A Control-Theoretic Model of Drive Ignition in Cognitive Drive Architecture (CDA) (2025), an application of control theory to model ignition-specific dynamics within the CDA framework ^[1].
• A Review of Social Media's Psychological Effects on Young Adults' Mental Health (2025), an analysis of cognitive and emotional outcomes associated with digital media use ^[7].
• Evaluating variation in school dropout rates in rural Nepal: A statistical study (2024), a data-driven study exploring factors influencing educational retention ^[8].
• Study of the Effects of Different Mechanical Mishaps or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on Brain Regions (2024), a review examining the neurological impact of traumatic brain injuries ^[6].
• Observation of Dominant and Recessive Character in Humans (2023), an observational study on visible inheritance traits in human populations ^[6].

He has also served as a peer reviewer for the Lagun has also served as a peer reviewer for the International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Case Reports ^[9].

His research profiles are indexed in OSF Preprints^[1],  Sciety^[5], and SSRN ^[10].

Productivity Writing

Since 2024, Nikesh Lagun has writtenauthored the Weekly Productivity Pulse, a newsletter pofferoviding cognitive strategies for productivity, focus, and resilience ^[4]. The publication explores topics such as overcoming procrastination, enhancing attentional control, and aligning cognitive effort with mental readiness. Drawing on his theoretical work in Cognitive Drive Architecture, Lagun integrates structural models of Drive into actionable guidance. As of 2025, the newsletter has attracted over 3,000 subscribers ^[4].

Music and Visual Art

Nikesh Lagun composes and releaseperforms acoustic music, with releases available on platforms such as Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube Music ^[3].  His principal releasestracks include:

• Timi Ra Ma (2024)

• Timi Ra Ma (2024)

• Mayalu (2024)

• Ekasi Timi

• Mayalu (2024)

• (Featured Artist, 2024)

• Ekasi Timi (featured artist, 2024)

• Bhagi Jaun

• (Featured Artist, 2024)

• Bhagi Jaun (featured artist, 2024)

In addition to music, Lagun produces visual artworks, including mechanical schematics and digital fan art inspired by anime series

In 2025, Lagun was ranked 32nd in the Pop category for Deezer fans in Nepal over a 12-month period, reflecting his growing listenership on streaming platforms ^[3]. In addition to his musical work, Lagun creates visual art, including mechanical schematics and digital illustrations. His artwork often draws inspiration from anime and concept design aesthetics

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Recognition

• Outstanding Award, Private and Boarding Schools' Organization Nepal (PABSON), 2022 ^[8].Outstanding Award, Private and Boarding Schools' Organization Nepal (PABSON), awarded in 2022 for academic excellence in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE–2078) ^[5].