Meditation has never been more popular — and that is precisely why researchers are now urging a more honest conversation about its risks. As mindfulness goes mainstream, a growing body of scientific evidence is revealing that for some practitioners, meditation doesn’t bring peace. It brings something far more difficult.
A landmark study published in late 2025 and widely discussed in the research community in early 2026 found that meditation and mindfulness practices have a “dark side” that the wellness industry has been slow to acknowledge. The findings are nuanced — and important for anyone who practices, teaches, or recommends meditation.
What the Research Found
Scientists uncovered a range of adverse experiences reported by meditators, including panic attacks, intrusive or distressing memories linked to past trauma, and in more serious cases, sensations of depersonalisation or dissociation — a frightening feeling of disconnection from one’s own body or sense of self.
These are not rare edge cases. The research suggests that adverse meditation experiences are more common than the industry typically admits, and that many practitioners either dismiss these experiences as part of the process or feel unable to raise them with teachers for fear of being misunderstood.
Who Is Most at Risk?
The research suggests that individuals with a history of trauma, anxiety disorders, or dissociative tendencies may be at heightened risk of adverse meditation experiences. For these practitioners, techniques that encourage turning attention inward — particularly extended periods of silent, unguided practice — can inadvertently amplify distressing mental content rather than quieting it.
Long retreat formats, where participants meditate for many hours a day over multiple days without adequate psychological support, have been identified as environments where adverse experiences are most likely to occur. Several practitioners have reported severe episodes during or after intensive silent retreats, some requiring professional mental health intervention.
The Industry’s Silence Problem
Part of the challenge is structural. The global meditation market is worth billions of dollars, and the dominant narrative — that meditation is universally beneficial, low-risk, and accessible to all — is commercially convenient. Apps, retreat centres, and teacher training programmes have little financial incentive to highlight the practice’s potential downsides.
Researchers and trauma-informed yoga and meditation teachers have been calling for more honest communication about risks — not to discourage practice, but to ensure that practitioners and teachers are equipped to recognise and respond to adverse experiences when they occur.
What Trauma-Informed Practice Looks Like
The concept of trauma-informed meditation teaching has gained significant traction in recent years, and the new research adds urgency to this movement. Trauma-informed approaches involve teachers being trained to recognise signs of distress in students, offering modifications and grounding techniques, and creating explicit pathways for students to opt out or seek support without stigma.
For yoga teachers who incorporate meditation into their classes, the takeaway is clear: the same duty of care that applies to physical postures applies equally to contemplative practices. Guidance, pacing, and psychological awareness are not optional extras — they are fundamental to responsible teaching.
A Balanced View
None of this negates the extensive evidence for meditation’s benefits. The same body of research that documents adverse effects also documents profound positive outcomes for the vast majority of practitioners — reduced anxiety, improved focus, greater emotional regulation, and measurable neurological changes.
The goal isn’t to make people afraid of meditation. It’s to ensure that the practice is approached with appropriate care, especially for those with complex histories. As with any powerful tool, meditation works best when used with knowledge, skill, and support — and the yoga and meditation community is well placed to lead that conversation.
