Scientists have discovered the hidden side effects of meditation

However, when a practice such as meditation is used in medical or therapeutic contexts, important scientific questions arise. How much practice is needed to produce benefits? Equally important, are there any risks or unwanted side effects associated with it?

“This is the kind of research that is done at the beginning of the development of any new therapeutic intervention program,” explained Nicholas Van Dam, a psychologist at the University of Melbourne. “For various complex reasons, with mindfulness-based programs in particular, this has not happened.”

Explore potential negative aspects of meditation

While many people report positive results, research over the years has also revealed that meditation can lead to negative experiences for some individuals. These side effects may include panic attacks, intrusive or traumatic memories related to past trauma (as seen in PTSD), and in more extreme cases, a sense of depersonalization or detachment.

Van Dam noted that estimates of how common these experiences are vary widely in the scientific literature. Some studies suggest that only about 1% of meditators experience side effects (Wong et al., 2018), while others report numbers as high as two-thirds (Britton et al., 2021).

To clarify these discrepancies, Van Dam and colleagues conducted a study published in Clinical psychological sciences To investigate how often meditators experience side effects and what factors may increase their likelihood of experiencing them.

A national study of meditation experiences

The research team recruited nearly 900 adults from across the United States. To make sure the group reflected the broader population of meditators in the United States, they used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to guide participant selection. The researchers also recruited meditators from a wide range of skill levels, from beginner to advanced, “so that we could identify the full sample of people who engage in meditation within the United States,” Van Dam said.

Van Dam stressed that the way researchers ask about side effects can greatly affect the results. “The devil is in the details,” he said, explaining that many previous studies relied on open-ended questions, a method known as spontaneous reporting. In such cases, participants may not recognize their experiences as side effects or may be reluctant to mention them.

To reduce this uncertainty, Van Dam’s team developed a 30-item checklist covering the potential effects of meditation. Participants rated the severity of each effect, whether it was positive or negative, and whether it interfered with their daily functioning.

What the data revealed

Results showed that nearly 60% of meditators in the United States reported at least one side effect on the checklist (e.g., feeling anxious or out of body). About 30% said they experienced impacts that were difficult or annoying, and 9% reported that these impacts caused functional impairment.

The study also identified several potential risk factors. Individuals who experienced mental health symptoms or psychological distress in the 30 days prior to meditation were more likely to report adverse effects. Those who attended intensive residential retreats, which often involved long periods of silent meditation, were also more likely to develop functional impairment.

Van Dam noted that more research is needed to determine cause and effect. He said the prospective, longitudinal study will help clarify how mental health and meditation interact over time.

Encourage awareness, not fear

Despite these findings, Van Dam cautioned against viewing meditation as dangerous. “Our conclusions do not suggest that people should be terrified, or that people should not try meditation,” he said. “Rather, we think we should do a better job of providing informed consent.”

He compared the situation to other therapeutic treatments, such as surgery or exposure therapy, where patients are told in advance what they might be exposed to. This setting allows individuals to assess risks and make informed decisions about their participation.

Navigating discomfort in mindfulness practice

In meditation, this kind of prior discussion doesn’t happen often. “We have to find a way to have that conversation and navigate that space,” Van Dam said. He suggested that practitioners and doctors explain that discomfort may sometimes be part of the process. Feelings of discomfort or questioning one’s sense of self are not necessarily signs of harm but are potential aspects of deep psychological exploration. However, distress that significantly interferes with daily functioning should be taken seriously.

“These practices are not for everyone,” Van Dam concluded. “If they don’t work, it’s not necessarily because the person is doing something wrong. It could be because they’re not a good match.”