Beyond serenity: Adverse effects of meditation and mindfulness in clinical practice.

Mindfulness and meditation can cause adverse effects, including anxiety, depression, and traumatic re-experiencing, with 25-87% of practitioners reporting such effects and 3-37% experiencing functional impairment like inability to work. It is unclear whether these effects are temporary or lasting. Retreat attendance and pre-existing mental health conditions may increase risk, though causality is not established. The review recommends thorough screening, informed consent, and ongoing monitoring in clinical practice, along with setting clear expectations, offering psychoeducational support, and adapting interventions when appropriate to balance benefits and risks.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Despite the growing popularity of mindfulness, mindfulness-based programs (MBPs), and meditation, potential harms have largely been overlooked. Recent studies reveal that 25-87 % of those who engage in meditation report adverse effects (AEs), with 3-37 % experiencing functional impairment (e.g., inability to work). It remains unclear to what extent AEs reflect transitory discomfort vs. lasting harm. Common AEs include anxiety, depression, and traumatic re-experiencing. Factors such as retreat attendance and pre-existing mental health conditions may increase the risk of AEs, though causality remains unclear. The review emphasises the need for thorough screening, informed consent, and ongoing monitoring in clinical practice. Recommendations include setting clear expectations, offering psychoeducational support, and adapting interventions when necessary and where appropriate. By addressing these concerns, clinicians can better balance the potential benefits with the potential risks, ensuring more responsible implementation of mindfulness and meditation in mental health care and beyond.