The Complexities of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is often seen as an ideal solution for managing stress and mental health challenges, largely because it can be practiced for free at home. This practice, rooted in Buddhist meditation, revolves around being present and fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the moment.

The earliest known references to mindfulness date back over 1,500 years in India. Specifically, Buddhist texts like the Dharmatrāta Meditation Scripture document various practices along with mentions of symptoms like anxiety and depression that may arise after meditative sessions.

Interestingly, these texts also reference cognitive disruptions linked to episodes of psychosis, dissociation, and depersonalization, where individuals might feel as if the world isn’t real. In the last eight years, there has been a significant increase in scientific studies focused on mindfulness, revealing that adverse effects are not uncommon.

A 2022 study surveying 953 regular meditators in the U.S. indicated that more than 10% reported negative effects that significantly impacted their daily lives for at least a month. This raises questions, doesn’t it?

Furthermore, a review of over 40 years of research published in 2020 highlighted that the most frequently reported adverse effects include anxiety and depression, alongside psychotic symptoms and feelings of dissociation or fear.

It’s noteworthy that adverse effects can occur even in individuals with no prior mental health issues or only a limited experience with meditation, and they can lead to longer-lasting complications. The Western world has had awareness of such adverse consequences for a considerable time as well.

In 1976, Arnold Lazarus, an influential figure in cognitive-behavioral science, warned that meditation, if practiced without care, could spur “serious psychiatric problems” like depression or even exacerbate conditions like schizophrenia.

While mindfulness can have benefits for well-being, it’s alarming that many mindfulness professionals, whether through apps, videos, or literature, seldom mention these potential downsides. Ronald Purser, a management professor and ordained Buddhist teacher, discussed this in his 2023 book, suggesting that mindfulness has evolved into something resembling a “capitalist spirituality.” In fact, the U.S. mindfulness industry is valued at around $2.2 billion, highlighting a pressing need for mindfulness educators to address these issues.

Notably, Jon Kabat-Zinn, a driving force behind the mindfulness movement, acknowledged in a 2017 interview that much of the research supporting its positive effects is lacking. His foreword in a 2015 report on UK mindfulness expressed hope that mindfulness practice could ultimately transform humanity.

This fervent belief in mindfulness’s potential to influence both individual lives and broader societal dynamics is a common thread among its advocates. Interestingly, even non-religious individuals practicing mindfulness often see it as a way to foster more peace and compassion globally.

However, discussions surrounding mindfulness in the media have sometimes been unbalanced. My book, co-authored with clinical psychologist Catherine Wikholm, in 2015 delved into the adverse effects of meditation and received significant media attention, unlike the 2022 high-profile study that suggested mindfulness did not enhance, and may impair, children’s mental health outcomes compared to control groups. This raises further questions about the narratives we choose to amplify.

Ethical Considerations

This brings us to a crucial point: Is it ethical to offer mindfulness apps and classes or incorporate mindfulness in clinical settings without warning about the potential downsides? Given the breadth of evidence regarding these issues, many would argue that it’s not.

Yet, it seems that many instructors believe these practices are purely beneficial and often dismiss the negative experiences reported by participants. I often hear that individuals who experience adverse effects are not taken seriously, sometimes being advised to simply continue meditating as if their issues will resolve on their own.

Research on safe meditation practices is still in its infancy, leaving a gap in clear guidance for those interested in mindfulness. Meditation can induce uncommon states of consciousness, but we currently lack robust psychological frameworks to properly understand these experiences.

Fortunately, there are resources available for those looking to educate themselves about the potential negative effects of mindfulness. Various websites, created by individuals who have encountered severe adverse effects, as well as academic resources, offer valuable insights.

In the U.S., there exists a clinical service aimed at assisting those facing acute and long-term consequences, managed by mindfulness researchers.

Ultimately, if meditation is to be wielded as a tool for well-being or therapy, it is imperative that the public is adequately informed about its risks.