BRANDY GILLMORE 3 HIDDEN SIDE EFFECTS OF MEDITATION
BRANDY GILLMORE
JUNE 2025
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In recent years, more medical research has begun to explore an overlooked truth: while meditation can have benefits, it can also have side effects—officially recognized as Meditation-Related Adverse Effects (MRAEs).
After working with the mind for over 22 years—first through my own healing journey and later by helping others—I’ve seen a growing number of people experience subtle but real side effects. What’s most concerning is that many don’t even realize it. Symptoms often show up in unexpected ways.
That’s why I’m sharing this—not to criticize meditation, but to offer insight. My hope is to help people recognize the signs early so they can avoid—or reverse—these hidden risks.
If you’ve been devoted to meditation, I understand you may feel protective of it—I did too. When I first turned to meditation, I was desperate to heal. I threw myself into it completely, practicing every method I could find.
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At first, it felt like it was helping—I felt calmer, even happier. But as the years passed, I noticed something unsettling. I wasn’t healing—and I felt more stuck in my head and increasingly disconnected from life. I began to realize that I was meditating too much. That’s one thing to watch for. Sometimes we think more is better—I did. I wanted to heal so badly that I spent an excessive amount of time meditating, and it was affecting me.
However, it’s not just about how often you meditate, but how it's affecting your mind and emotions over time. I’ve seen the same thing happen to others—even those meditating far less than I was.
This isn’t to say that meditation is bad. It’s simply that, like anything else, meditation must be used consciously, or there can be side effects.
Think of it like water—it is vital for life, yet too much can be fatal. Or driving a car—a source of freedom, but reckless driving can cause harm. Meditation is no different. It can offer benefits—but like anything else, understanding and awareness are key.
The tricky part is that the side effects from meditation don’t necessarily feel like a problem. Instead, they can feel good—making it even harder to recognize that deeper issues may be occurring.
That’s why I want to share the top three hidden risks I’ve personally experienced and observed in others—along with simple things you can do to stay grounded, present, and empowered!
Meditation
Meditation can offer benefits, but like anything else, understanding and awareness are key.
1. Disconnection and Inner Loneliness
One side effect can be a subtle yet growing sense of disconnection. New medical research is now exploring issues like depersonalization and emotional detachment—and I’ve witnessed this firsthand, even in people who appear socially connected.
You’ve likely heard the phrase “alone in a crowded room.” I’ve witnessed this time and again—people feeling increasingly disconnected on the inside, even while surrounded by loved ones and support systems.
This happens because the mind operates through emotional patterns and conditioning. Over time, meditation can subtly reinforce feelings of disconnection at the subconscious level—leading to a deeper sense of separation that can show up in daily life. I’ve even seen this happen within marriages. Despite loving their partner, some people begin to experience a growing emotional distance—not because there’s a problem in the relationship, but because of repeated emotional conditioning.
Additionally, meditation can begin to program your mind to want to check out of life. Simply stated, it’s well known in psychology that our minds are motivated by two basic forces: pain and pleasure.
When someone experiences bliss in meditation—but stress in daily life—the mind starts linking “meditation equals pleasure” and “life equals discomfort.” Over time, this can inadvertently train the mind to prefer escaping life rather than engaging with it.
To counteract this:
Make a point to embrace feelings of connection and unity with others.
Instead of escaping stresses in life, resolve them and make a point to cultivate feelings of love toward life.
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2. Increased Overwhelm and Emotional Sensitivity
Another side effect is heightened emotional sensitivity—and with it, a greater sense of overwhelm.
Let me paint you a quick picture: Imagine getting a deeply relaxing massage—and then immediately stepping into a loud, crowded dance club!
The contrast could feel chaotic and overwhelming.
This can also happen after long meditation sessions. People cultivate deep stillness, but then step into daily life—work, family, children—and suddenly, it feels chaotic and overwhelming!
For example, I’ve seen loving parents who meditate first thing in the morning struggle when their energetic children wake up. The joyful chaos of getting ready for school can suddenly feel too intense, leading them to unintentionally withdraw—not out of lack of love, but because their nervous system wasn't ready for the transition.
Even small tasks—a to-do list—can feel overwhelming when your mind has been conditioned to find peace only in stillness.
To counteract this:
Intentionally embrace the joy in life! Cultivate fun and positive emotions while walking, parenting, or working.
Practice wanting to be present in real-world situations.
Brandy Gillmore
Bestselling Author, Award-winning Podcast Host, Mindset and Mind-Body Healing Expert
3. Checking Out Instead of Reprogramming the Mind
Another common pitfall I’ve seen—and experienced—is using meditation to ease emotional discomfort or even check out, without addressing the underlying causes. In this case, true healing cannot occur.
Some might suggest, “If healing did not occur, maybe they were meditating incorrectly.” But let’s look at three well-known figures: Steve Jobs, Wayne Dyer, and Tim Brown (all of whom I deeply admire and respect).
Each was profoundly committed to meditation—and yet all three faced serious conditions in life.
From this, we can see that meditation did not prevent their conditions, nor did it heal them. Further, we can see that it can be easy to bypass real change. For example, it’s well documented that Steve Jobs experienced ongoing emotional stress despite his meditative practices. So while meditation can provide relief and benefits, without direct reprogramming, many issues can remain unresolved and fall short of true healing.
For me, the real turning point in my healing came when I dove deeper into research and discovered something profound: People with multiple personality disorder (now called dissociative identity disorder) could experience completely different physical illnesses depending on which personality they were embodying.
One personality named Jane might have a serious illness, while another personality—Mary—could be physically healthy.
That research was a massive wake-up call for me. This showed me that the mind's influence over the body was far greater than I had realized!
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Check Out—Check In
From that point on, I began to see meditation in a new way. While it can be a supportive tool, the reality was that, for me, it just wasn’t enough. I needed to go beyond it—to actively reprogram my mind. That’s when I was finally able to heal myself!
So my advice? Every person should understand their own mind—it holds the power to heal the body and transform your life.
Pay attention to what feels good to you and why. Just because something feels good doesn’t mean it is good for you.
Be present. Be connected. Be willing to explore what’s beneath the calm.
Because that’s the key to creating radical results—to heal yourself and change your life!
Brandy Gillmore is a best-selling author, award-winning podcast host, and a leading expert in mindset and mind-body healing. After healing herself from disability and demonstrating the mind’s ability to create verifiable physical healing under medical equipment, she now shares her groundbreaking discoveries worldwide.
Featured in Health Medical Journal, TEDx talks, and documentaries, Brandy has helped people from all walks of life—including top celebrities, professional athletes, and those passionate about personal growth—unlock their potential, heal themselves, and transform their lives.
