Participate in Research

Meditation-Related Challenges Study

www.meditationchallenges.org

A study to understand the nature of meditation-related difficulties and adverse effects

Researchers:

Roman Palitsky, PhD., Emory University

Deanna Kaplan, PhD., Emory University

Jessica Maples Keller, PhD., Emory University

Nicholas Canby, PhD., Brown University

Willoughby Britton, PhD., Brown University

Nicholas Van Dam, PhD., University of Melbourne

Study Objectives

The Meditation-Related Challenges Study aims to answer the following questions:

  • What kinds of challenges and adverse effects can result from meditation practice?

  • Are there specific practices, programs, or products that tend to cause more problems than others?

  • What predicts improvement, worsening, or growth after meditation-related challenges?

  • If someone experiences difficulties from meditating, what should they do? What types of support, remedies or therapies are most or least helpful?

You may be eligible to participate if you have experienced any of the following as a result of meditation:

  • Difficulties or distress or

  • Negative impacts on your life or daily functioning or

  • You needed additional professional support or treatment

  • And you are 18 years or older and can read and understand English

Take an online screener to assess your eligibility

Tracking Meditation Study

We’re looking for people who started meditating less than 4 months ago and intend to keep practising. We’ll be tracking the full range of their experiences on a regular basis over two years. The aims are to understand how the different meditation experiences unfold, when and why people might stop meditating, and any dose-response trajectories over time. One of our main interests is meditation challenges, so Cheetah House community members are very welcome.

 

Who is this for?

  • Have you started practising meditation 4 months ago or less? 

  • Do you plan to continue meditating regularly, regardless of whether you’re encountering meditation challenges?

  • Do you live in UK, US, Australia, or New Zealand?

 

If yes to all, please join! https://psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/CSC/research/research-studies/tracking-meditation-a-longitudinal-study

 

What will you do?

Over two years, you'll contribute to this groundbreaking research through: 

  • 3 x 30-min online surveys (beginning, after 1 year, after 2 years)

  • Brief monthly surveys

  • Weekly voice diaries

 

What’s in it for you?

  • Personalised practice tracking feedback

  • Join our community and interact with fellow participants

  • Access to exclusive meditation resources

  • Gift cards & option to donate to charity

 

Learn more

Mindfulness, Dissociation, & Wellbeing Study

Researchers: Nina Eriksson

Background

Have you ever wondered how mindfulness impacts mental well-being? Does dissociation influence how mindfulness works for different individuals? Researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London are conducting a study to explore these important questions—and we need your help!

This research investigates how different levels of mindfulness contribute to well-being and whether dissociative experiences affect these outcomes.

What does study participation involve?

Complete three short online surveys (approx. 15 minutes)

  • Mindfulness experience assessment

  • Dissociative symptoms questionnaire

  • Mental well-being survey

Participation is completely anonymous.

Who is eligible?

Anyone who is

  • is over 18 years old

  • has meditation experience / involvement

This study has been reviewed by the Research Ethics Committee at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Learn More or Sign Up

For questions about the study, email Nina Eriksson nerik002@gold.ac.uk