The potential health advantages of yoga, mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, and other activities have led to a spike in their popularity. These activities can cause altered states of consciousness, even though they frequently have beneficial and occasionally transformative benefits.
The frequency of these changed states is shown by recent research conducted by a team from Massachusetts General Hospital, which is a component of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system.
The results, which were written up in the journal Mindfulness, show that these kinds of experiences are more common than previously believed.
The potential health advantages of yoga, mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, and other activities have led to a spike in their popularity. These activities can cause altered states of consciousness, even though they frequently have beneficial and occasionally transformative benefits.
The frequency of these changed states is shown by recent research conducted by a team from Massachusetts General Hospital, which is a component of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system.
The results, which were written up in the journal Mindfulness, show that these kinds of experiences are more common than previously believed.
Meditation: Typical but intricate experiences
The study’s principal investigator was Dr. Matthew D. Sacchet, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the director of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Meditation Research Program.
“With more people engaging in mindfulness, meditation, and other contemplative practices, we anticipated that altered states and their effects might be common. Our international surveys confirmed that these experiences are widespread,” according to Sacchet.
3,135 adults in the US and the UK were polled for the research. It may surprise you to learn that 45% of respondents had at least one experience with non-pharmacologically induced altered states of consciousness.
This is a far cry from the 5% to 15% of people who are thought to have practiced mindfulness in the US and UK.
Better Support is Required
Of those who suffered, 11% said their pain was life-threatening, and 13% said their suffering was moderate or worse. Unbelievably, 63% of these people didn’t ask for assistance.
According to Sacchet, “our study found that altered states of consciousness are a common variant of normal human experience, rather than being extremely unusual and rare.”
“Yet, those who experience negative outcomes often do not seek help, and clinicians are poorly prepared to support these experiences. This represents a public health issue, as some people struggle to integrate these experiences into their existing conceptions of self and reality,” he said.
Research and Care are States of Meditation
The study emphasizes the need for more investigation to pinpoint personal traits linked to altered states of consciousness and the related pain that could ensue.
“We should not dismiss meditation and other practices as inherently dangerous. Instead, we need to better understand and support meditators to fully realize the potential of these practices,” Sacchet highlighted
As with psychotherapy, medication, and other therapeutic instruments, it’s critical to put these potent methods into practice and provide appropriate support for those who use them.
Sacchet also mentioned that old meditation guides from wisdom traditions could be useful for categorizing and controlling altered states. He said, “These manuals could provide guidance on how to better manage difficult altered states. More research is clearly needed to explore this possibility.” Undoubtedly, additional investigation is required to examine this potential.
Clinical Training and Instruction in Meditation
Dr. Sacchet urged the creation of clinical courses on altered states of consciousness in order to better prepare medical professionals.
“Those who teach meditation should ensure that participants are aware of potential risks. Implementing safeguards will help ensure that these promising and powerful practices are taught and experienced safely,”he said.
The complexity and significance of the altered states of consciousness attained during meditation and related practices are highlighted by this study. Individuals may experience powerful consequences from these moods, which frequently result in notable improvements in wellbeing.
On the other hand, some people may experience negative effects from them, varying from little pain to severe agony. The results highlight the need for these procedures to be approached with balance. Utilizing their potential advantages while being conscious of and reducing the hazards involved is crucial.
Better support networks and training programs for practitioners and clinicians are recommended by the study. Healthcare professionals can help individuals who encounter issues with appropriate counsel and support if they have a better grasp of these altered states.
According to the research, teaching meditation should incorporate clinical curriculum and safety precautions to ensure that the practice is taught with the utmost care and understanding in order to maximize its advantages and limit any potential harm.
