- Mindfulness involves meditating as part of an attempt to feel “fully present” and aware.
- A study warns that it can cause unpleasant sensations such as disintegration
It is the trendy wellness practice that has revolutionized the health industry.
But mindfulness training can trigger unpleasant feelings such as disintegration, experts have warned.
The popular process involves meditating as part of an attempt to feel “fully present” and aware of each moment, and is advertised as a way to reduce stress or deal with depression and anxiety.
It has become a billion-dollar industry and is adored by the likes of Harry Styles, Raheem Sterling and Oprah Winfrey, while 15 per cent of adults in the UK have learned some form of it.
Now, a study suggests that mindfulness training can cause people to experience altered states of consciousness.
It’s a trendy wellness practice that has taken the health industry by storm. However, experts warn that mindfulness training can trigger unpleasant sensations, such as losing one’s body (file image)
The popular process, practiced by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, involves meditating as part of an attempt to feel “fully present” and aware of each moment.
And while some of these experiences can be very positive, this is not always the case, the scientists warned.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge conducted a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness training as a way of coping with exam stress.
The trial team followed up with participants a year later to investigate whether they had experienced any altered states of consciousness.
They were asked to complete a questionnaire that explored 11 “dimensions,” such as spiritual experience, state of happiness, disembodiment, and oneness.
In experiences of unity there is a sense of boundaries dissolving and a feeling that we are all part of a larger, interconnected whole.
However, disembodied experiences often consist of a sensation of floating or a dissolution of bodily boundaries, meaning a person may feel disconnected from their own body and mind.
In total, 670 people participated in the trial. Analysis revealed that people who had received mindfulness training were twice as likely as those in the control group to experience feelings of unity and disengagement.
Mindfulness has become a billion-dollar industry and is loved by the likes of Harry Styles (pictured), Raheem Sterling and Oprah Winfrey.
A study suggests that mindfulness training, such as that practiced by footballer Raheem Stirling, can cause people to experience altered states of consciousness.
Of those who reported experiencing altered states of consciousness, 43 percent experienced unity, 47 percent experienced states of bliss, and 29 percent reported having disembodied experiences.
Dr Julieta Galante, from the Department of Psychiatry, who led the trial, said it was important for teachers and their students to be aware that unpleasant feelings can arise and to be open to talking about them.
“The most common and intense experiences tend to be those that do not have intrinsically unpleasant features,” he said.
‘Some experiences, such as happiness, can be extremely pleasurable, but others, such as depersonalization or an altered sense of self, can be experienced as unpleasant, surprising, or even alarming, especially if you are not expecting them.
‘It is important that people who are offered mindfulness are informed about the possibility that they may encounter these experiences.
“That way, if you do experience these symptoms, you shouldn’t be too worried. There may be nothing wrong with your experience, but it may be helpful to talk to your mindfulness teacher and, if the experience was negative, consider talking to your doctor as well.”
The findings were published in the journal Plos One.
