Meditation’s Hidden Risks: One in 10 Meditators Face Serious Adverse Effects

Meditation is widely promoted as a mental health cure, but emerging research shows it carries real risks. A 2017 study by Willoughby Britton, an associate professor of psychiatry at Brown University, found that one in ten meditators experience serious adverse effects. These include psychosis, anxiety, insomnia, and emotional flooding that can last years and impair daily functioning. The findings are forcing meditation teachers and clinicians to rethink how they present the practice to the public.

What the research found about meditation harm

Dr Britton’s 2017 study interviewed more than 100 Buddhist meditation practitioners over 10 years and identified more than 50 reported symptoms. Practitioners reported hyperarousal effects such as anxiety, fear, insomnia, involuntary movements and emotional flooding. Others experienced hypoarousal effects including reduced emotion, motivation and sense of self. Some reported psychosis symptoms lasting on average between one and three years, with serious consequences including hospitalisation, suicidality, time away from work or school, and job loss.

Real cases show the severity of meditation injuries

Sue, a Florida woman in her 70s, experienced dysregulation after using a meditation app and remained in that state for about a year and a half. Jane, a retiree in her mid-seventies, was diagnosed as psychotic and manic after a five-day Zen retreat and was hospitalised multiple times over the following two decades. These cases illustrate how meditation-related adverse effects can persist long after the practice stops and fundamentally disrupt lives.

Why informed consent is failing meditators

Most meditation teachers and apps do not warn users about potential harms. Willoughby Britton founded Cheetah House, a not-for-profit service supporting meditators in distress. The service now averages 150 appointments a month and has treated thousands of meditators in more than 20 countries over the past decade. Research cited by ABC News suggests the potential harms remain relatively unknown and under-researched, leaving practitioners vulnerable to harm without knowing the risks.

What this means for meditation users

The evidence does not mean meditation is dangerous for everyone. It means that meditation teachers, clinicians, and app developers have a responsibility to disclose risks before people begin. Users should ask about potential adverse effects, start with shorter sessions, and seek professional guidance if they experience anxiety, sleep disruption, or emotional changes. For those with a history of mental health conditions, medical clearance before starting meditation is prudent.

Final Thoughts

Meditation carries real risks that the wellness industry has largely ignored. One in ten practitioners face serious harm, yet most are not warned. Informed consent and better support services are essential before meditation becomes safer for vulnerable populations.

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