43: Research Roundup: Pitfalls of Mindfulness Research

There is so much research and information out there about mindfulness, so today hosts Tiffany and Katja tackle this big and important topic from a different angle. In this episode, the pair takes a critical lens and unpacks the pitfalls of mindfulness research. Tiffany and Katja discuss how mindfulness is defined in the research, why self selection of study participants may be of importance, and what the field of Contemplative Neuroscience is all about. They also touch on contraindications and adverse events of mindful meditation, as well as considerations surrounding mindfulness practices and mental health.

Listen in to learn more about both the important takeaways and the challenges of recent mindfulness research.

“It speaks to the maturity of a field within the medical community if they have figured out what their contraindications are.” – Katja Bartsch

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“We’re looking at those fluctuations of the mind – the highs and the lows – and trying to befriend some of the dark spaces.” – Tiffany Cruikshank

Show Notes:

• The background of mindfulness research [3:06]
• The challenge of defining mindfulness [6:26]
• MBSR as intervention for many research studies [13:05]
• Unpacking social desirability and self-selection in mindfulness research [18:42]
• Are we asking the right questions? Validity in mindfulness research [21:56]
• On Contemplative Neuroscience and fMRI [23:55]
• Contraindications of mindfulness practices [27:55]
• Adverse events of mindful meditation [33:23]
• Idea of capacity building & titration [37:55]
• Mindfulness research takeaways [42:24]

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Yin & Meditation Yoga Teacher Training
• Mindfulness Research Doc
• Yoga Medicine Online Guest Teacher
• Connect with Katja Bartsch:

Facebook | Instagram | Kalamana Yoga

“Not all researchers define mindfulness and mindfulness meditation in the same way.” – Katja Bartsch