Index of my posts on meditation-related adverse (side) effects.
Adverse (side) effects
- Blank Minds and Tramp Souls
- Can Meditation Have Negative Side Effects?
- Damaged by Meditation?
- Dark Side Of Meditation
- Depersonalization and Derealization [Infographic]
- Meditation-Related Challenges in Western Buddhists
- Seven Popular Myths about Meditation
- What is Meditation Sickness?
Meditation-related challenges
- Everyday Belief and Delusion
- Psychotherapy and Meditation
- Recovering From Meditation
- Enlightenment’s Evil Twin
- What If Meditation Isn’t Good for You?
- “Unusual experiences” of mindfulness
The negative (adverse) effects of meditation have been known and discussed in the Eastern traditions, mostly Buddhism. Numerous Buddhist texts (of which I have yet to find much in English translations) describe known dangers from meditation-related practices. Some of the traditional, East-Asian meditation texts warn of meditation sickness. The meditation “sicknesses” described range from temporary to permanent, and sometimes can be fatal. See my post What is Meditation Sickness?
I’m interested in the research on meditation-related challenges, “sicknesses”, and adverse effects. If you have any recommendations for sources or research, please write to me in the “Leave a Reply” box on a blog post or send me an email.