2022
How Dr. Britton started study the adverse effects of meditation
Dr. Britton talks to Rachel Bernstein on the Indoctrination podcast.
Dr. Britton’s recounts how her dissertation study and discussions with meditation teachers revealed well-kept secrets about some of meditation’s less desirable effects
Cultic dynamics within the meditation and mindfulness communities
Dr. Britton talks to Rachel Bernstein on the Indoctrination podcast.
Dr. Britton describes the myriad ways that meditation promoters attempt to deny meditation-related adverse effects
2020
Harm Reduction in the Context of Meditation-Related Difficulties
Dr. Lindahl describes research into the criteria used for determining when a meditation-related difficulty warrants intervention and/or additional support beyond continued meditation
Signs of Dissociation
Dr. Britton describes signs of meditation-induced dissociation and how to tell the difference between dissociation and meditative calm
Can Meditation be Harmful?
Dr. Britton talks with Liam McClintock about meditation-related challenges on the Fitmind Podcast.
2019
Adverse Effects of Mindfulness Meditation: Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Britton addresses frequently asked questions, such as:
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How often do meditation-related difficulties occur?
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What types of difficulties are most likely?
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How do you know meditation is the cause?
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What factors increase risk?
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What can we do to minimize risk?
2018
Mechanisms of Meditation-Induced Hyper-arousal
Part 1 of the mechanisms module of the First Do No Harm meditation safety training. Dr. Britton explores what we know about the neurobiology of meditation to try to understand why and how meditation practice might result in symptoms of hyperarousal, such as anxiety, panic, insomnia, traumatic re-experiencing, pain syndromes, and other experiences that are reported by meditators.
Mechanisms of Meditation-induced Dissociation
Part 2 of the mechanisms module of the First Do No Harm meditation safety training. By reviewing the neurobiology of mindfulness meditation, Dr. Britton describes how meditation can lead to dissociation.
2017
Meditation-Related Difficulties: Research Overview
Keynote by Dr. Britton at the Center for Mindfulness Research and Practice Conference, Chester England July 8th 2017. The keynote includes an overview of the Varieties of Contemplative Experience Study, Phenomenology, Influencing Factors, Frequently asked questions, relevance to Mindfulness-based interventions, resources and upcoming safety trainings.
2012
Mind and Life Dialogues XXIV (2012)
Dr. Willoughy Britton presents here research on meditation-related difficulties to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Mind and Life Dialogues XXIV ” Latest Findings in Contemplative Neuroscience” Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN 2012
2011
TEDx: Why a Neuroscientist Would Study Meditation (2011)
Dr. Willoughby Britton explores meditation practice as a form of applied experience dependent neuroplasticity. What are the qualities and habits of mind and behavior that you are intentionally or unintentionally practicing? Are these the qualities and behaviors you want to become automatic and effortless?
Meditation and Sleep
Dr. Britton describes her research on the effects of meditation and sleep. Contrary to popular assumptions that meditation practice promotes sleep, Dr. Britton’s research suggests that meditation’s effects on sleep is more complicated, and depends on the nature of the sample, type and amount of meditation practice, medications, and how sleep is measured. Meditation is more likely to improve subjectively reported sleep quality, but shows signs of cortical arousal when sleep is measured objectively, (EEG-based polysomnography).