BMJ mental health
August 24, 2024
Shannon Maloney, Merle Kock, Yasmijn Slaghekke et al.
16 citations
A systematic review of 27 randomized controlled trials found that mindfulness skills, decentering, and attitudes such as self-compassion are significant indirect pathways through which mindfulness-based programs improve mental health and well-being. Only four studies examined mechanisms within specific mindfulness practices. The evidence for alternative mechanisms like attention and awareness remains limited, especially regarding well-being outcomes, mental health promotion, and comparisons with active controls. The authors call for high-quality trials with powered multivariate mediation analyses to address these knowledge gaps and guide future interventions.
Mindfulness
May 19, 2026
Tim Wood, Merle Kock, Nicholas T van Dam et al.
Intense meditation-related experiences (IMREs) can suddenly alter a person's sense of self, worldview, and emotions, but their meaning often shifts as meditators reflect and interpret them over time within their social and cultural context. Through in-depth interviews with 13 participants, four themes emerged: watching the self and world transform; emotional explosions leading to insight; deciding whether to share the experience or remain silent; and developing new perspectives and agency. Most participants found that the meaning of their IMREs became clearer through conversation with others, using concepts from science and meditation traditions. These experiences were transformative, offering new ways of perceiving and acting in the world.
July 25, 2025
Tom Wood, Merle Kock, Nicholas T. van Dam et al.
preprint
Intense meditation-related experiences (IMREs) can alter the sense of self, worldview, and emotions, impacting daily life. Through in-depth interviews with thirteen meditators, four themes emerged: watching the self and world transform; emotional explosions leading to insight; gaining new perspectives and agency; and challenges in talking about the experience. Meditators used concepts from science and meditative traditions to make sense of IMREs, which were profound transformative experiences that changed how they perceived and acted in the world. The meaning of these experiences was immediately clear for some but clarified over time for most.