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Meditation & mind-body

Meditation and Mindfulness

Established evidence

Source covers: Stress · Anxiety · Chronic pain

What the source covers

Mindfulness meditation is among the most researched mind and body practices. NCCIH reviews the clinical literature on meditation for stress, anxiety, pain and depression, and describes how study quality varies between trials.

Potential benefits, as reported

Reviews cited by NCCIH report modest improvements in anxiety and chronic pain for some participants. Effects differ by practice type and population.

Risks and side effects

NCCIH notes that meditation is generally considered safe for healthy people; some participants report increased anxiety or distress during intensive practice.

Sources · 1

  • Meditation and Mindfulness: Effectiveness and Safety

    National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) · nccih.nih.gov

    Open at the publisher