Meditation is generally credited with many virtues, such as improving cognitive performance or reducing anxiety. And yet, researchers conducted a meta-analysis suggesting that this practice could be dangerous for some people.
In July 2020, we mentioned a study suggesting that meditation increased brain volume in various places. It is a question here of neuroplasticity at the level of the hippocampus (emotion regulation) or the temporoparietal junction (empathy and compassion). In general, the practice of meditation is synonymous with improving cognitive performance. The same is true for concentration and well-being as well. In addition, meditation would reduce stress and anxiety.
What if meditation doesn't have the same effect for everyone? A meta-analysis cited by the NewScientist on August 14, 2020 claims that for some people, meditating would bring no benefit and may even be dangerous. To be published in the journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, this research led by the University of Coventry (United Kingdom) took into account no less than 55 recognized studies about meditation. However, it was, among other things, mindfulness meditation.
Researchers calculated the average of individuals who experienced adverse effects after practicing meditation. According to the results, 8% of people (i.e. 1 in 12) who tested meditation felt adverse effects. There is talk of panic attacks and worsening of anxiety or depression. In some cases, this was the first time such symptoms had appeared.
On the other hand, it is important to emphasize that this meta-analysis does not call into question the benefits of meditation in general. It is more a question of a call for a practice in good conditions, if possible under the control of a competent person. Nevertheless, researchers believe that this practice is not "universally benevolent".
Katie Sparks, a registered psychologist with the British Psychological Society, spoke on the subject. She thinks some people have trouble controlling their minds and their thoughts. This could then explain why in these people, meditation produces the opposite effect.
Finally, let's consider another study published by the University College of London in 2019. In this research, approximately25% of the 1,232 respondents reported having had a particularly unpleasant psychological experience related to meditation. Among these people, some spoke of feelings of fear and distorted emotions.
