Mindfulness, often hailed as a free remedy for stress and mental health issues, has gained popularity as a type of meditation focusing on present-moment awareness.
With origins tracing back over 1,500 years to ancient India, the practice is rooted in Buddhist traditions. Historical texts, such as the Dharmatrāta Meditation Scripture, have long noted the potential for adverse effects, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive anomalies.
In recent years, scientific research has increasingly documented these negative effects. A 2022 study involving 953 regular meditators in the US found that over 10 per cent experienced significant adverse effects, including anxiety and depression, which persisted for at least a month.
A comprehensive review published in 2020 identified the most common adverse effects as anxiety, depression, psychosis, dissociation, and fear.
The Western world has also been aware of these issues for decades. In 1976, cognitive-behavioural scientist Arnold Lazarus warned that indiscriminate use of meditation could lead to serious psychiatric problems, including depression and schizophrenia.
Despite the known benefits of mindfulness, there is a notable lack of warnings about its potential risks in the growing mindfulness industry.
Professor Ronald Purser, in his 2023 book “McMindfulness,” critiques the commercialisation of mindfulness, referring to it as “capitalist spirituality.” He also points out that much of the research supporting mindfulness is of questionable quality.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, a prominent figure in the mindfulness movement, has acknowledged the limitations of research in this area. In a 2017 interview, he admitted that “90% of the research [into the positive impacts] is subpar.” Kabat-Zinn has suggested that mindfulness has the potential to transform societies, but this view has been met with skepticism.
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In 2022, a significant study funded by the Wellcome Trust, which tested over 8,000 children in the UK, found that mindfulness did not improve mental wellbeing and may have negatively affected those at risk of mental health problems. The study, which represents the most expensive research into meditation science to date, received minimal media coverage.
The ethical implications of mindfulness practices are under scrutiny. Should mindfulness apps, classes, and clinical applications be marketed without addressing potential adverse effects?
Many instructors are unaware of these risks and often dismiss complaints from those who experience negative outcomes, suggesting they should continue meditating until the issues resolve.
While research into safe meditation practices is in its early stages, there are resources available for those affected by adverse effects, including dedicated websites and clinical services. To ensure mindfulness is used effectively and safely, there is a pressing need to inform the public about its potential harms alongside its benefits.
