The Unspoken Downsides of Meditation and Mindfulness

Because mindfulness can be practiced at home for free, it is often seen as an ideal remedy for stress and mental health challenges.

Rooted in Buddhist traditions, mindfulness meditation involves focusing on present-moment awareness of sensations, thoughts, and emotions.

Ancient Texts Acknowledge Meditation’s Potential Downsides

The earliest recorded evidence of meditation’s potential downsides dates back over 1,500 years to India. The Dharmatrāta Meditation Scripture, written by a Buddhist community, describes various meditation practices and mentions symptoms of depression and anxiety that can arise afterward.

It also details cognitive disturbances linked to psychosis, dissociation, and depersonalization—a state where individuals feel detached from reality.

In the past eight years, scientific interest in this topic has grown, revealing that negative effects are not uncommon.

A 2022 study of 953 regular meditators in the U.S. found that over 10% experienced adverse effects that significantly disrupted their daily lives for at least a month.

A 2020 review of more than 40 years of research identified anxiety and depression as the most frequent negative effects, followed by psychotic or delusional episodes, dissociation or depersonalization, and intense fear or terror.

Studies have shown that negative effects from meditation can occur even in individuals with no prior mental health issues. These effects can arise after moderate exposure and may lead to persistent symptoms.

The Western world has been aware of these risks for decades.

Early Warnings from Cognitive-Behavioral Science

In 1976, cognitive-behavioral scientist Arnold Lazarus warned that indiscriminate use of meditation could trigger “serious psychiatric problems such as depression, agitation, and even schizophrenic decompensation.”

While mindfulness has documented benefits, many coaches, apps, books, and online resources fail to mention its potential risks.

Professor of management and Buddhist teacher Ronald Purser argued in his 2023 book McMindfulness that mindfulness has been commercialized into a form of “capitalist spirituality.”

In the U.S., the meditation industry is valued at $2.2 billion (£1.7 billion). Leaders in the mindfulness market should be well aware of its potential drawbacks.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, a leading figure in the mindfulness movement, acknowledged in a 2017 Guardian interview that “90 percent of the research [on its benefits] is subpar.”

A Grand Vision for Mindfulness

In the foreword to the 2015 UK Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Report, he suggested that mindfulness meditation could ultimately reshape individuals, communities, societies, and even humanity as a whole. This almost religious conviction in mindfulness’ transformative power is common among its advocates. Many atheists and agnostics who practice it also believe it can foster greater peace and compassion globally.

Despite this enthusiasm, media coverage of mindfulness has been somewhat one-sided.

In 2015, my book with clinical psychologist Catherine Wikholm, The Buddha Pill, included a chapter summarizing research on meditation’s negative effects. This received significant media attention, including a New Scientist article and a BBC Radio 4 documentary.

Yet in 2022, the most expensive meditation study ever conducted—an $8 million project funded by the Wellcome Trust—received surprisingly little media coverage.

Between 2016 and 2018, researchers studied over 8,000 children aged 11 to 14 across 84 UK schools. The findings revealed that mindfulness did not enhance mental well-being compared to a control group and may have even negatively impacted children already at risk for mental health issues.

Ethical Concerns in Mindfulness Promotion

Is it ethical to promote mindfulness apps, offer meditation classes, or incorporate mindfulness into clinical practice without disclosing potential adverse effects? Considering the growing evidence of their frequency and diversity, the answer should be no.

Many meditation and mindfulness instructors believe these practices are entirely beneficial and are unaware of potential adverse effects.

A common experience among those who suffer negative effects is that their concerns are dismissed. Instructors often advise them to continue meditating, assuming the issues will resolve on their own.

Research on how to practice meditation safely is still in its early stages, leaving little clear guidance. A broader challenge is that meditation involves altered states of consciousness, and psychology lacks comprehensive theories to fully explain these experiences.

However, resources are available. Some websites, created by meditators who have faced serious adverse effects, provide firsthand insights, while academic handbooks now include dedicated sections on the topic.

In the U.S., a clinical service led by a mindfulness researcher specializes in supporting individuals who experience acute or long-term issues from meditation.

Until more is understood, meditation should not be promoted as a universal wellness tool without acknowledging its potential risks.

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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