title: Adverse effects of meditation: a preliminary investigation of long-term meditators.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, California College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D001143:Arousal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology*