A groundbreaking study reveals that while meditation offers many benefits, a significant number of practitioners also face distressing side effects. It’s time for a more informed conversation.
In recent years, meditation has exploded into the mainstream, championed as a universal remedy for the stresses of modern life. From corporate wellness programs to mental health apps, mindfulness is widely promoted as a powerful tool for improving focus, reducing anxiety, and achieving a greater sense of well-being. But as this ancient practice becomes a staple in therapeutic and medical settings, a critical question arises—one that accompanies any new treatment: Are there any risks?
For most medical or psychological interventions, a thorough investigation of potential side effects is a standard, non-negotiable first step. "This is the kind of research that is done at the very beginning of developing any new treatment intervention program," explains Nicholas Van Dam, a psychologist at the University of Melbourne. "And for various complex reasons, with mindfulness-based programs in particular, that just didn’t happen."
This oversight has left a significant gap in our understanding. While countless people report positive, life-changing benefits from meditation, a growing body of research highlights a different, more challenging side to the practice. For some individuals, the path to inner peace is unexpectedly turbulent, marked by adverse experiences like panic attacks, the re-emergence of traumatic memories, or even unsettling feelings of depersonalization and dissociation.
A Contradictory Picture
Until now, the scientific literature has offered a confusing and inconsistent picture of how common these experiences are. Some studies suggested that significant side effects were rare, affecting only about 1% of meditators (Wong et al., 2018). In stark contrast, other research, such as a notable 2021 study by Britton and colleagues, reported that as many as two-thirds of practitioners encountered challenging effects. This massive discrepancy has made it difficult for both practitioners and clinicians to know what to expect.
To bring clarity to this issue, Van Dam and his colleagues embarked on a comprehensive study, recently published in Clinical Psychological Science. Their goal was to systematically investigate the frequency of meditation-related side effects and identify the factors that might put certain individuals at higher risk.
A Deeper Look at Meditators’ Experiences
The research team designed a study that was more robust than many of its predecessors. They recruited nearly 900 adults from across the United States, carefully selecting participants to mirror the demographics of the broader U.S. meditator population, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The group included individuals with a wide spectrum of experience, from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners.
Crucially, the study’s methodology addressed a key flaw in previous research. "The devil is in the details," Van Dam notes, explaining that many earlier studies relied on open-ended questions, a method known as spontaneous reporting. This approach can lead to underreporting, as participants may not recognize an experience as a side effect or may feel hesitant to mention it.
To overcome this, Van Dam’s team developed a detailed 30-item checklist of possible meditation-related effects. Participants were asked to rate the intensity of each experience, label it as positive or negative, and report whether it interfered with their daily life. This structured approach provided a much more nuanced and accurate snapshot of what people were actually experiencing.
What the Data Revealed
The results were striking. The study found that nearly 60% of U.S. meditators had experienced at least one of the side effects on the checklist, such as heightened anxiety or a feeling of being disembodied. Of those, about 30% described the effects as challenging or distressing. Perhaps most concerning, 9% of all participants reported that these experiences were severe enough to cause functional impairment, interfering with their work, relationships, or daily responsibilities.
The research also shed light on potential risk factors. Individuals who reported experiencing mental health symptoms or psychological distress in the 30 days prior to meditating were more likely to encounter adverse effects. Furthermore, those who attended intensive residential retreats—which often involve many hours of silent meditation per day—had a higher likelihood of experiencing functional impairment.
Van Dam is careful to point out that this study identifies correlations, not definitive causes. He suggests that a prospective longitudinal study, which would follow individuals over time, is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between pre-existing mental health conditions and meditation practice.
The Way Forward: Informed Consent, Not Fear
Despite these sobering findings, Van Dam’s message is not one of fear. "Our conclusions are not that people should be terrified, or people should not try meditation," he stresses. "It’s really that we think that we should do a better job of providing informed consent."
He draws a parallel to other established treatments. Before a patient undergoes surgery or begins exposure therapy for a phobia, they are given a clear and honest overview of the potential risks and what they might experience during the process. This allows them to make an informed decision. With meditation, this crucial conversation is often missing.
"We have to find a way to have that conversation and navigate that space," Van Dam says. Meditation teachers and clinicians should explain that feelings of discomfort, unease, or even a questioning of one’s sense of self can be part of a deep psychological exploration. These feelings are not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. However, when that distress becomes overwhelming and begins to impair daily functioning, it must be taken seriously.
The ultimate takeaway is one of balance and individualization. Meditation is a powerful practice with immense potential for good, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. As this research shows, what is healing for one person may be destabilizing for another.
"These practices are not for everyone," Van Dam concludes. "If they’re not working, it’s not necessarily because the person is doing something wrong. It might be because it’s just not a good match."
References
Britton, W. B., Lindahl, J. R., Cooper, D. J., Canby, N. K., & Palitsky, R. (2021). Defining and measuring meditation-related adverse effects in mindfulness-based programs. Clinical Psychological Science, 9(6), 1185–1204.
Van Dam, N. T., et al. (2025). The prevalence and predictors of meditation-related adverse effects in a representative sample of U.S. meditators. Clinical Psychological Science.
Wong, W. P., et al. (2018). A review of the prevalence of adverse events in mindfulness-based interventions. Mindfulness, 9(6), 1649-1659.
