Mindfulness training can lead to surprising changes in how people feel and perceive the world, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge.
Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study found that mindfulness practices can sometimes cause people to feel disembodiment and unity—states of mind where they may feel disconnected from their body or at one with everything around them.
These experiences can be positive, but they aren’t always pleasant.
The researchers suggest that both mindfulness teachers and students should be aware of these possible side effects.
Students should feel comfortable sharing their experiences with their teachers or doctors if they have any concerns.
Mindfulness has become very popular in recent years, with around 15% of adults in the UK having learned some form of it. It’s often used to reduce stress and help with depression and anxiety.
There have been reports that mindfulness can change how people sense their surroundings and their own bodies, similar to the effects of certain drugs.
From September 2015 to January 2016, the University of Cambridge conducted a study to see if mindfulness training could help students cope with exam stress.
The results showed it could support students at risk of mental health issues.
Dr. Julieta Galante, who led the study, noted that while there was anecdotal evidence of people experiencing changes in perception, it wasn’t clear if these were caused by mindfulness or if people who experienced them were simply more likely to practice mindfulness.
To explore this further, the researchers followed up with the study participants a year later. They asked them to complete a questionnaire about different altered states of consciousness, such as spiritual experiences, blissful states, disembodiment, and unity. Unity experiences involve a feeling of oneness with everything, while disembodiment involves feeling detached from the body, which can enhance feelings of unity.
Of the 670 participants in the original study, about one-third from both the mindfulness group and the control group completed the questionnaire.
The results showed that those who had received mindfulness training were twice as likely to experience unity and disembodiment compared to those in the control group.
The study also found that the more people practiced mindfulness, the more likely they were to experience these altered states of consciousness.
Among a smaller group of 73 participants who had meditated in the six months before the follow-up, 43% reported unity experiences during meditation, 47% experienced blissful states, 29% experienced disembodiment, and 25% had insightful experiences.
Dr. Galante, who has personally experienced these states through mindfulness, emphasized the importance of being prepared for such experiences. While many of these states can be pleasant, some may be unsettling or even alarming if unexpected.
She stressed the need for mindfulness teachers and students to be open about these possibilities and to discuss any negative experiences with a doctor if necessary.
This way, people practicing mindfulness can be reassured that what they are experiencing is normal and manageable.
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