The side effects of capitalism can include: burnout, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, a sense of loss of control, stress, relationship problems… and the list of unpleasantries goes on and on. In a world like ours, it’s hardly surprising that meditation and mindfulness are experiencing a boom. They are the answer to the call of a hurried, performance-obsessed era; they have stood the test of time and promise (fortunately not in vain) to improve almost anything related to inner restlessness.
Buddhist traditions are becoming a mass phenomenon that we can’t praise enough. Inhale, exhale, silence, cross-legged posture, no stress, no world—for a moment, just the breath. Meditation deserves five out of five stars for its affordability (why pay for a session with a psychologist when I can settle into a comfortable position at home, practice mindfulness or breathing, and feel better in a moment —completely free?), the absence of unpleasant side effects (which, unfortunately, just won’t go away with otherwise wonderfully useful psychotropic drugs), and above all, its scientifically proven effectiveness.
Studies have demonstrated the effect of meditation on reducing stress and alleviating stress-related conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia or post-traumatic stress disorder, relief from anxiety and depression, and even improved cognitive function in old age. One form of meditation technique that is currently enjoying enormous popularity is mindfulness (translated into Czech as “mindfulness’ or ‘alert attention‘)—the health benefits of this “state in which a person is fully aware of and pays attention to what is happening in the present moment” and the use of a mindfulness-based treatment program (MBSR), you can read here on the blog in a series of articles by my colleague (parts 1, 2).
Meditation has been proven to work, although science still does not yet fully understand exactly how. The “mild to moderate” reduction in psychological stress offered by meditation techniques is a great benefit both in combination with psychotherapy and as a self-help tool. Of course, not everyone uses meditation as a first-aid kit—it is just as popular as a way to expanding consciousness and attaining wisdom.
Although this is a phenomenon that has been known to humanity for thousands of years, scientific research on meditation is still in its infancy… and as is sometimes the case, studies are so preoccupied with discovering and reporting on the fascinating benefits and therapeutic potential that they sometimes “forget” to point out the existing downside.
A few years ago, study that set out to uncover the truth about the negative effects of meditation. A four-member team of researchers, after analyzing a large number of academic articles, reports that according to studies to date, at least one in twelve people who practice meditation experiences negative effects.
The most common difficulties were symptoms of anxiety and depression, followed by the second most common group, which included psychotic states (hallucinations, delusions) and feelings of depersonalization or dissociation. Some participants experienced “re-experiencing” of trauma, while others spoke of feelings ranging from fear to terror. Nearly one-third of the adverse effects were somatic in nature—some experienced digestive problems, while others reported stress, tension, or pain. The least common were so-called “cognitive anomalies,” symptoms such as disorganized thoughts, amnesia, and unreliable memory.
One could argue—as the authors of the aforementioned study themselves note—that psychotherapy also causes unwanted, temporary, health-impairing effects in a comparable number of people. The problem, however, is that this “one in twelve people,” or 8% of participants, is very likely a significant underestimate. The harmful effects of improperly practiced meditation have already been highlighted in ancient texts, examples from history (abuse meditation for military purposes on Japanese soldiers)… and then there are all sorts of older studies, largely overlooked, pointing to the dark side of meditation—panic, relaxation-induced anxiety, reduced motivation to live, confusion, distorted perception of reality, and, in rare cases, addiction to meditation (in this study, more than half of the participants encountered negative effects, and 7.4% of the others experienced serious problems as a result of meditation), Craven described side effects in meditators such as dissociation, unpleasant kinesthetic sensations, feelings of guilt as well as grandiosity, suicidal thoughts, and destructive behavior…
This article is not intended to scare people or discourage them from meditating for no reason—its benefits are undeniable, scientifically proven, and millions of people have tried it. At the same time, however, I believe it’s important to draw attention to the dangers that can arise from improperly applied techniques. Just as “exercise is healthy, let’s go for a run” wouldn’t be good advice for someone with a broken ankle, meditation in its various forms may not be suitable for everyone. Meditation can be a great aid on the path to better mental health—if done correctly. Another problem is that meditation instructor training courses aren’t always of high quality, which can lead to discomfort or even danger if meditation is “used” incorrectly. If you’re planning to start meditating on your own, for maximum safety experts recommend following guided meditations (led by an instructor or teacher, or in the form of audio recordings in mobile apps).
