Mindfulness is recommended by several prominent health organizations (e.g.,
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, American Psychiatric Association)
for treating specific psychiatric disorders.
Despite its growing popularity, concerns about potential adverse effects of
mindfulness have emerged, often called the ‘mindfulness backlash.’
Reported Adverse Effects:
1. Empirical Studies
1. Some studies (e.g., Wilson et al., 2015) report cognitive impairments
following mindfulness practice, such as:
2. Executive memory issues.
3. False memory formation.
4. These findings may be limited by factors such as short mindfulness induction
times (e.g., 15-minute sessions).
2. Qualitative Studies:
1. Studies (e.g., Lomas et al., 2015) report intrapsychic problems like:
2. Exacerbation of mental health issues.
3. Trouble with self-concept.
4. Distorted reality perception.
5. Addiction to mindfulness has also been noted in some cases (Shonin et al.,
2014b), where it may act as a substitution for other addictions but could
become maladaptive.
3. Clinical Case Studies:
1. A portion of participants in mindfulness programs (e.g., Dobkin et al., 2012)
showed elevated scores on depression screens, raising the possibility that
mindfulness might make participants more aware of latent psychological
issues.
4. Psychosis Risk:
1. A small number of case studies reported psychotic episodes triggered by
mindfulness or other meditation practices (Shonin et al., 2014a). However,
these cases are rare and often tied to intensive, prolonged meditation or pre-
existing conditions.
Potential Risk Factors:
Adverse effects are more likely linked to poorly taught mindfulness practices or a
lack of understanding of mindfulness nuances.
Short, unsupervised mindfulness sessions may contribute to the negative outcomes
reported in studies.
Recommendations:
1. Choose Mindfulness Instructors Carefully: Clinicians should guide patients to
well-trained, experienced instructors.
2. Longer Training Periods: Mindfulness teachers should undergo extensive training
(at least 3 years) under supervision before administering the practice in clinical
settings.
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