Can meditation have negative side effects?

While the benefits of meditation practices have been researched extensively, it is unfortunate that little research has been directed towards the potential risks.

It is ironic that the meditative practices that research has shown can greatly improve certain mental health issues can, in rare cases, trigger mental health problems. Meditation can reduce anxiety, stress and depression and help people cope with illness and pain. Studies have also shown that meditation increases positive moods and has measurable positive effects on the brain. Yet, in a relatively small number of cases, meditation can activate reactions of panic, depression and anxiety. In some more extreme cases, mania and psychotic symptoms have been reported. These cases are rare but require further investigation and care. 

Meditative practices can bring into awareness experiences that are relaxing and comfortable, and experiences which are uncomfortable. Experiences such as restlessness, agitation, sadness and frustration are common but are usually transitory. Seeing these experiences arise and pass away is part of the meditation process.

In people who have come to meditation for relief from stress, pain or psychological disorders, uncomfortable experiences are more likely to arise. The potential for these uncomfortable experiences should be explained by the meditation teacher and skilfully managed when they arise. There should be no pressure or coercion from the teacher; instead the participant should be encouraged to monitor their thoughts and feelings and to stop the practice and request support if needed.

In exploring the psychological benefits and risks of meditation, there are three primary considerations: the intensity of the practice, the vulnerability of the participant, and the skill and experience of the meditation teacher.

Most reports of adverse effects arising from meditation practice come from participants attending intensive meditation retreats. These intensive retreats may be conducted in silence, with the participants sitting in meditation for extended periods of time – many hours each day for a week or more.  Obviously, more vulnerable participants with pre-existing mental health difficulties may experience distress in such conditions. Careful assessment, screening and pre-class interviews are necessary. Those with mental health difficulties should consult a mental health professional before attending. They should also disclose their mental health situation to their prospective teacher.

Low and moderate intensity meditation programs, which are in the vast majority, commonly recommend 20 – 40 minutes of meditation per day. While uncomfortable experiences may still arise for some participants, they should be shown how to work skilfully with such experiences, and be given appropriate support. Learning to manage such experiences can be freeing and empowering for the participant. However, some teachers may have limited training and experience in supporting participants through either the normal and expected uncomfortable experiences that arise or the more atypical unexpected side effects of practice.

It is for this reason that the Meditation Association of Australia has defined three categories of meditation teaching: personal development, therapeutic and spiritual. In order to be recognized as a teacher of therapeutic meditation, we require additional training and experience above and beyond meditation teacher training. Teachers of therapeutic meditation are those who augment a degree-level qualification in a health-related field with meditation teaching for therapeutic purposes, in which the primary intention is to treat illness, to manage symptoms or to promote physical, emotional and psychological health and wellbeing.

To learn more about the role and limits of a meditation teacher qualification please visit our Scope of Practice page.

If you are struggling with your meditation practice and/or experiencing uncomfortable side effects, don’t hesitate to mention this to your teacher. They will be able to offer you a recommendation to a trusted, qualified local practitioner to support your needs.

National help lines and websites

Beyond Blue

Offers a support service for treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression. Phone 1300 224 636