Meditation-related psychological adverse effects, challenging, unpleasant, and negative experiences: Toward the safe dissemination and practice of advanced meditation
Oliver Andersson Hugemark, Vanessa Naughton, Karen Vasquez-Avila, Nicholas K. Canby, Terje Sparby, Matthew D. Sacchet
PsyArXiv March 8, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/2cgs3_v2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The authors argue that meditation-related psychological adverse effects (MRPAEs) are relatively prevalent in empirical work, especially in advanced and intensive meditation contexts, but that heterogeneous terminology, definitions, and assessment criteria have produced widely varying prevalence estimates and hindered characterization of these experiences. The review proposes organizing frameworks and identifies risk and protective factors to guide safer, more effective advanced meditation practice and future research. |
Abstract
Meditation research is increasingly moving beyond the study of health-related benefits toward the investigation of non-ordinary states of consciousness and ways of being that may arise through advanced meditative practice. Alongside potential benefits, however, intensive or advanced meditation has been associated with a higher incidence of meditation-related psychological adverse effects, challenging, unpleasant, and negative experiences (MRPAEs). Although a growing body of empirical work indicates that MRPAEs are relatively prevalent, substantial heterogeneity in terminology, definitions, and assessment criteria has contributed to wide variation in reported prevalence estimates and has complicated efforts to characterize the nature, severity, and significance of these experiences. This review synthesizes the literature on MRPAEs, with particular attention to advanced and intensive meditation contexts. We examine proposed theoretical and interpretive frameworks; practitioner-, practice-, relationship-, and environmental/health-related factors associated with MRPAEs; potential risk and protective factors; considerations related to normal meditative development versus psychopathology; and key directions for future research. Overall, this review aims to provide a foundation for a more comprehensive and systematic understanding of MRPAEs and to inform approaches to advanced meditation that support both safety and effectiveness.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |