Meditation has gone mainstream. Due to its many proven benefits, such as its ability to reduce stress, tension, and even physical pain, the popularity of Meditation is soaring right now. Yet meditation safe? 

The Risks of Meditation: What You Should Know

Unfortunately, although there are many benefits to meditation, there are possible risks as well. Many recent studies report cases of unpleasant experiences and even psychological harm as a result of meditation.

For example, in a May 2019 study to examine the adverse side effects of meditation, it was reported that 25.6% of 1,232 study participants reported negative experiences associated with their meditation Practice.

Reported in this study are cases of anxiety, panic, depersonalization, mania, psychosis, suicidality, and worsening clinical symptoms. This study is but one of many related studies with similar findings.

( https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0216643)

Although these findings are recent, adverse side effects of meditation are not a new discovery. In fact, adverse meditation effects are documented in ancient texts dating back to the 15th century. The term meditation sickness” is often used to describe exactly this.

So, what does this mean to your practice? Should you stop meditating altogether?

Not necessarily, yet awareness is essential to your safety. The following is a list of reported harmful           side effects linked to meditation that you should know:

Possible Risks and Harmful Side Effects of Meditating 

Among the most severe side effects reported are:

• Dysregulated arousal (energy problems; disrupted sleep/wake cycles)
• Anxiety
• Dissociation
• Emotional blunting (feeling emotionless)
• Flashbacks
• Compromised Cognition (problems making decisions, memory lapses, cognitive impairments, etc.)
• Social withdrawal
• Perceptual hypersensitivity or hallucinations
• Depression
• Memory Lapses
• Increase in Physical Pain
• Loss of Motivation
• Disrupted Sense of Self
• Psychotic Breaks
• Suicidality

Meditation and Moderation

As the saying goes, too much of anything is too much. If you meditate, be sure to approach your practice with moderation and periodically reassess whether you need to curtail the amount of time you spend meditating. 

Furthermore, if you are someone with a history of mental illness or trauma, you should only pursue a meditation practice with caution and under the guidance of a mental health professional. 

To remain safe, monitor your practice for signs of these adverse side effects. Most importantly, if you do experience any of the above issues, stop your practice and consider consulting a therapist who can help you find a more helpful way to nurture your well-being.

Nothing in life is ever a perfect panacea for all, yet if you approach meditation with awareness and moderation, you can enjoy a safe and beneficial meditation practice for as long as you wish. 

Further Reading:

Meditation for Beginners: Learn How Here

Let it go! 15 Things You Should Release and a Meditation to Help You Do It

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