Clinical Studies on Meditation-Related Adverse Effects

A study led by researchers at University College London and published in PLOS ONE surveyed 1,232 people with meditation experience and found that 25.6% reported having had a “particularly unpleasant” psychological experience they believed was linked to their practice.
Such experiences were more commonly reported by those who had attended retreats, practised only deconstructive forms of meditation, or reported higher levels of repetitive negative thinking.

A large population-based study found that over 30% of meditators reported adverse effects, including anxiety and emotional distress, with some experiencing symptoms lasting longer than a month.

Intensive meditation, especially with long hours, little sleep, and isolation, can rarely trigger psychotic episodes in vulnerable individuals. While meditation is generally beneficial for mental health, people with a history of psychosis should practice cautiously under supervision. This case shows meditation can act as a stressor for psychosis, but more research is needed.

The Clinical and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory (CLANlab) at Brown University researches the cognitive, emotional and neurophysiological effects of contemplative practices in both clinical and non-clinical settings, with particular attention to individual differences and meditation safety.

This case study describes a man who developed psychotic symptoms after attending a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat. He experienced anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations, which were linked to the meditation practice. After discontinuing meditation and receiving short-term sedative treatment, he fully recovered within days. The study suggests that meditation can trigger psychosis in vulnerable individuals, emphasizing the need for more research on its potential mental health risks.

Overall, the research suggests that Vipassana meditation is associated with measurable changes in brain function and stress regulation, and may support attention and emotional resilience. At the same time, emerging evidence indicates that some practitioners report adverse psychological or physiological effects, particularly in intensive practice contexts. The study linked below explores these findings and their limitations in more detail.

A study of long-term meditators shows that meditation usually brings positive effects, but over 60% of participants reported at least one adverse experience.

While meditation has reported benefits, a systematic review found that around 8% of practitioners experience unwanted effects, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive disturbances.

A systematic review exploring the potential adverse events associated with meditation, highlighting both benefits and risks for practitioners and clinicians.