What Does the Research Say?

Meditation has now been examined in hundreds of controlled studies. There is evidence of positive effects, particularly for mindfulness-based approaches, including for stress, anxiety, pain, and some other complaints. Certain aspects of attention and cognitive control may benefit as well.¹²

But this does not mean that every claim about meditation has scientific support. Studies differ greatly in the form and duration of meditation, their participants, and their quality. Effects also tend to be smaller when meditation is compared not with ‘nothing’, but with another active intervention.¹

Research therefore does not portray meditation as a miracle cure. Rather, it shows a surprisingly simple mental practice that can help with a variety of things.