The adverse effects of meditation as reported in scientific studies are as follows: - relaxation-induced anxiety and panic - paradoxical increases in tension - less motivation in life - boredom - pain - impaired reality testing - confusion and disorientation - feeling 'spaced out' - depression - increased negativity - being more judgmental - feeling addicted to meditation - uncomfortable kinaesthetic sensations - mild dissociation - feelings of guilt - psychosis-like symptoms - grandiosity - elation - destructive behavior - suicidal feelings - defenselessness - fear - anger - apprehension - despair Also, anecdotal evidence suggests that meditation can worsen symptoms of some psychiatric problems. Sources: Study from 1992: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1428622 > Adverse effects of meditation: a preliminary investigation of > long-term meditators, by Shapiro DH Jr. > > Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, California College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine. > > Abstract > > Adverse effects of meditation were assessed in twenty-seven long term > meditators (average 4.27 years) both retrospectively (time one) and > prospectively at one month (time two) and six months (time three) > following a meditation retreat. At both time one and time three > subjects reported significantly more positive effects than negative > from meditation. However, of the twenty-seven subjects, seventeen > (62.9%) reported at least one adverse effect, and two (7.4%) suffered > profound adverse effects. When subjects at time one were divided into > three groups based on length of practice (16.7 months; 47.1 months; > 105 months) there were no significant differences in adverse effects. > How the data should be interpreted, and their implications both for > the clinical and psychotherapeutic use of meditation as a > relaxation/self-control strategy, and as a technique for facilitating > personal and spiritual growth, are discussed. Limitations of the study > and suggestions for future research are also offered. Meta-analysis from 2000: > Meditation: concepts, effects and uses in therapy by Alberto > Perez-De-Albeniz and Jeremy Holmes > > International Journal of Psychotherapy, Mar2000, Vol. 5 Issue 1, > p49, 10p > > Abstract: This article reviews 75 scientific selected articles in the > field of meditation, including Transcendental Meditation among others. > It summarizes definitions of meditation, psychological and physiological > changes, and negative side-effects encountered by 62.9% of meditators > studied. While the authors did not restrict their study to TM, the > side-effects reported were similar to those found in the "German > Study" of Transcendental Meditators: relaxation-induced anxiety and > panic; paradoxical increases in tension; less motivation in life; > boredom; pain; impaired reality testing; confusion and disorientation; > feeling 'spaced out'; depression; increased negativity; being more > judgmental; feeling addicted to meditation; uncomfortable kinaesthetic > sensations; mild dissociation; feelings of guilt; psychosis-like > symptoms; grandiosity; elation; destructive behavior; suicidal > feelings; defenselessness; fear; anger; apprehension; and despair. Official recommendations in the US: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/meditation/overview.htm#sideeffects > Side Effects and Risks > > Meditation is considered to be safe for healthy people. There have > been rare reports that meditation could cause or worsen symptoms in > people who have certain psychiatric problems, but this question has > not been fully researched. People with physical limitations may not be > able to participate in certain meditative practices involving physical > movement. Individuals with existing mental or physical health > conditions should speak with their health care providers prior to > starting a meditative practice and make their meditation instructor > aware of their condition.