Incidence and predictors of meditation-related unusual experiences and adverse effects in a representative sample of meditators in the United States.

Meditation use is now as common as mental health service access. Understanding meditation- related adverse effects (AEs) is therefore critical. We aimed to (a) estimate incidence rates of meditation-related unusual experiences and AEs, and (b) identify sociodemographic and health-related characteristics predicting their incidence. We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based survey of 886 US adults (approximately representing population age, gender, and race/ethnicity) stratified by lifetime meditation experience and type. 96.6% reported an unusual experience, 58.4% reported an AE (Inventory of Meditation Experiences), 78.3% endorsed 1+ Meditation-related AEs Scale item, 31.4% endorsed experiencing a challenging, difficult, or distressing experience, and 9.1% reported functional impairment due to AEs. In a robust multiple regression, psychological distress, psychoticism, unusual beliefs, and meditation retreat participation were positively associated with unusual experiences and AEs. It is essential that: (a) potential meditators are informed about possible experiences; (b) providers consider risk-factors; and (c) AEs are routinely and actively monitored.