From the Guidelines
Mindfulness practices can cause harm in certain situations, particularly when used without proper guidance or as a substitute for necessary medical or psychological treatment, and individuals should be aware of the potential risks, including triggering anxiety, panic attacks, or traumatic memories, and take steps to minimize these risks by starting with brief sessions under qualified instruction and maintaining appropriate medical care. When considering the potential harms of mindfulness, it is essential to weigh the benefits against the risks, and the most recent and highest quality study 1 suggests that meditation therapies pose very little risk to participants, with few adverse events reported in trials. However, there is a growing interest in exploring adverse reactions to intensive meditation practice, particularly in vulnerable individuals. Some potential harms of mindfulness include:
- Triggering anxiety, panic attacks, or traumatic memories in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder or certain mental health conditions
- Leading to disorientation, depersonalization, or psychosis in vulnerable people, particularly those participating in extended meditation retreats or intensive practices
- Causing physical discomfort from maintaining meditation postures, especially for those with existing pain conditions
- Being used as a substitute for necessary medical or psychological treatment, which can exacerbate symptoms or delay proper care To minimize these risks, individuals should:
- Start with brief sessions under qualified instruction
- Disclose relevant mental health history to teachers
- Maintain appropriate medical care alongside mindfulness practice
- Seek professional help if experiencing persistent distress or symptoms that worsen with practice. It is also important to note that the literature on meditation therapy is lacking in head-to-head comparisons with other forms of therapy, including individual counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or other mind-body interventions, as highlighted in the study 1. Additionally, other studies 1 have found that mindfulness-based interventions can promote psychological well-being and support cardiovascular health, but these benefits should be weighed against the potential risks, and individuals should approach mindfulness practice with caution and under proper guidance.
From the Research
Potential Harms of Mindfulness
- The practice of mindfulness meditation can have adverse effects on some individuals, including moderate to serious adverse effects 2
- The evidence for the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions is insufficient or inconclusive, particularly when compared to other activities or treatments 2
- Some people may not be affected by mindfulness meditation in a substantive way, and others may experience negative effects 2
Individual Differences in Mindfulness Experience
- There is a range of individual differences within the experience of meditation, which can affect the outcomes of mindfulness-based interventions 2
- The complexity and skill needed to deliver a mindfulness training that has real therapeutic and transformative power are often underestimated 3
Limitations of Current Research
- Much work on mindfulness-based interventions is being conducted outside the evidence base and standardized protocols, and by individuals with varied levels of experience and training 3
- The current research on mindfulness-based interventions has several limitations, including the lack of conceptual and methodological self-criticism 2