The Rise (and Risk) of Toxic Mindfulness
Mindfulness Isn’t a Miracle: The Rise (and Risk) of Toxic Mindfulness
TL;DR
Mindfulness can change lives—but only when it’s practiced authentically, not commodified. In 2025, a wave of social media influencers and wellness brands are packaging mindfulness as a cure-all for trauma, anxiety, and oppression. But research shows mindfulness without cultural context or trauma-informed application can actually harm mental health. This article dives into what real mindfulness looks like, the risks of spiritual bypassing, and how to reclaim the practice for healing—not performance.
The Problem
In a world flooded with wellness reels, meditation apps, and yoga challenges, mindfulness has become a $5.6 billion industry in the U.S. alone (Statista, 2024). But while more people are talking about breathing and “living in the now,” fewer are addressing the roots of suffering. This isn’t mindfulness—it’s mindwashing.
The phrase “toxic mindfulness” is trending because people are waking up to the ways brands, coaches, and even therapists weaponize the practice to gaslight others into silence or compliance. If you’ve ever heard:
“You just need to meditate more.”
“If you were really grounded, you wouldn’t be so triggered.”
“You’re manifesting negativity.”
…you’ve likely experienced the weaponization of mindfulness yourself.
This kind of bypassing minimizes real issues like PTSD, racial trauma, and systemic injustice—and turns healing into a performance for Instagram.
The Psychology
Mindfulness, at its core, is a therapeutic technique rooted in Buddhist tradition, used clinically to regulate emotion and reduce psychological distress (Keng et al., 2011). Research shows that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain (Khoury et al., 2015).
But clinical mindfulness works because it’s structured, trauma-informed, and taught by trained professionals—not TikTokers.
When mindfulness is used as a way to avoid discomfort, invalidate emotions, or suppress trauma, it becomes spiritual bypassing—a term coined by psychologist John Welwood to describe the use of spiritual ideas to avoid psychological work.
According to a 2022 review published in Current Psychology, spiritual bypassing is associated with increased emotional suppression, unresolved trauma, and narcissism (Wong, 2022). For marginalized people, mindfulness without acknowledgment of cultural and historical trauma can actually reinforce distress.
This isn’t healing—it’s oppression with a Zen filter.
The Facts
79% of people using mindfulness apps report only short-term relief, often followed by guilt when they still feel anxious or depressed (Healthline Survey, 2023).
The global mindfulness industry is projected to hit $9 billion by 2030, making emotional regulation a profit model (Statista, 2024).
Mindfulness reduces PTSD symptoms only when paired with trauma-informed support—not when practiced in isolation (Polusny et al., 2015).
Studies show Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ individuals often feel alienated in mainstream wellness spaces that ignore systemic violence (APA, 2022).
A PubMed study found that self-guided mindfulness without clinical guidance can lead to emotional numbing, intrusive thoughts, and derealization in trauma survivors (Farias et al., 2020).
The Advice
Mindfulness isn’t the enemy. The problem is how it’s being sold. Here’s how to bring the practice back to its roots:
Honor the Source
True mindfulness comes from Buddhist philosophy. Engage with teachers and resources that respect its cultural roots—not just aesthetic packaging.
Use Mindfulness to Feel, Not Fix
The goal of mindfulness isn’t to silence discomfort—it’s to sit with it. If you’re anxious, don’t judge it. Witness it. That’s real growth.
Avoid “Good Vibes Only” Spaces
If someone uses mindfulness to dismiss your pain, that’s a red flag. Healing includes hard feelings.
Choose Trauma-Informed Guides
Not all meditation teachers are created equal. Seek out mental health professionals or programs with trauma-informed training.
Balance with Action
Don’t let mindfulness turn you inward while ignoring injustice. You can be mindful and angry. You can breathe andadvocate.
Join the Conversation
If you’ve ever felt gaslit by “love and light” language, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about how mindfulness can empower rather than erase. What does a real mindfulness practice look like for you?
Leave a comment, submit a question to the Mental Health Sessions: Advice Column, or DM us @robertsaintmichael on Instagram.
Want more on the truth behind wellness trends and mental health hype?
Listen to this episode of The Group Sessions Podcast
References
American Psychological Association. (2022). Systemic inequality and mental health. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2022/inequality-mental-health
Farias, M., Maraldi, E., Wallenkampf, K. C., & Lucchetti, G. (2020). Adverse events in meditation practices and mindfulness-based interventions: A systematic review. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32273270/
Healthline. (2023). Mindfulness apps survey report. https://www.healthline.com
Khoury, B., Sharma, M., Rush, S. E., & Fournier, C. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for adults: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 78(6), 519–528.
Keng, S.-L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041–1056.
Polusny, M. A., Erbes, C. R., Thuras, P., et al. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for posttraumatic stress disorder among veterans. JAMA, 314(5), 456–465.
Statista. (2024). Mindfulness industry growth. https://www.statista.com
Wong, S. Y. (2022). Spiritual bypassing: A psychological defense or spiritual trap? Current Psychology, 41, 1412–1424.
