Mindfulness Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More
What is this page for?
First and foremost: how Mindfulness interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Mindfulness is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.
But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Mindfulness is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
Check Mindfulness against your medication
Add one medicationDrugs that interact with Mindfulness
0 medications have a known interaction with Mindfulness, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Mindfulness. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.
What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean
Severity — How Serious It Can Be
- Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
- Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
- Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
- No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.
Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented
- Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
- Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
- Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
- Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Where This Data Comes From
- Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
- Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Mindfulness combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
- Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Mindfulness: Uses, Safety & Side Effects
Mindfulness is a mind-body practice—not a pill or herb—that involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Research suggests it can modestly help with stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain for many people, and it is generally very safe. It is best used alongside, not in place of, care from your doctor or pharmacist.
- Part used
- Not applicable (mind-body practice)
- Common forms
- Guided meditation, breathing exercises, body scans, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) programs, apps, classes
- Stress reduction
- Anxiety and depression
- Chronic pain
- Sleep problems
- Improving focus and emotional well-being
Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.
Mindfulness is generally very safe for most people and has no swallowed dose or chemical risk.
Insufficient reliable information available; however, mindfulness practices have been used in pregnant adults in one study without reports of adverse...
Read the full pregnancy detailInsufficient reliable information available; however, mindfulness practices have been used in pregnant adults in one study without reports of adverse...
Read the full breastfeeding detailPregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.
Overview
Mindfulness is not a herb, plant, or supplement you swallow. It is a mental practice—a way of paying close, gentle attention to the present moment without judging it. People often practice it through meditation, slow breathing, body scans, or simply noticing their thoughts and feelings as they come and go.
Mindfulness has roots in ancient meditation traditions, but today it is widely used in a non-religious, health-focused way. Structured programs such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are taught in clinics, hospitals, and through many phone apps.
Because there is nothing to take by mouth, mindfulness does not carry the same risks as herbs or supplements. It is most often used to help manage stress, mood, sleep, and pain.
How it works
Mindfulness is thought to work by changing how the brain and body respond to stress. By repeatedly practicing focused, non-judgmental attention, people may become less reactive to upsetting thoughts and more able to step back from them.
Brain-imaging and physiology studies suggest mindfulness may be linked to changes in areas of the brain involved in attention, emotion, and self-awareness, and to a calmer stress response (for example, lower activity in the body's "fight-or-flight" system). Much of this research is still early and not fully settled.
In plain terms, mindfulness seems to help people relate to stress, pain, and difficult emotions differently—rather than removing the stressor itself.
Does Mindfulness work?
How to read these evidence grades
Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.
Possibly Effective Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Mindfulness interventions seem to improve ADHD symptoms in adults and children.
Possibly Effective Back pain
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) seems to be effective for the short-term improvement of back pain and physical function. The long-term benefits of MBSR are unclear.
Possibly Effective Cancer-related fatigue
Low quality studies suggest that mindfulness modestly improves symptoms in patients with cancer-related fatigue. Guidelines from multiple oncology associations include mindfulness as a potential treatment option for reducing fatigue.
Possibly Effective Depression
Most clinical research shows that mindfulness reduces symptoms of depression.
Possibly Effective Fibromyalgia
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) seems to be effective for the short-term reduction of fibromyalgia symptoms; however, longer term effects are unclear.
Possibly Effective Insomnia
Mindfulness appears to improve some sleep measures in most adults; however, it may be no more effective than other therapies, such as education, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or exercise.
Possibly Effective Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Most research suggests that mindfulness is effective for reducing symptoms of PTSD.
Possibly Effective Schizophrenia
Mindfulness-based psychoeducation seems to improve symptoms of schizophrenia and improve recovery and functioning.
Possibly Effective Social anxiety disorder
Mindfulness-based interventions seem to be effective for improving symptoms of social anxiety disorder.
Possibly Effective Stress
Mindfulness-based interventions seem to reduce stress in healthy adults and adults with various medical conditions.
Possibly Ineffective Age-related cognitive decline
Clinical studies show that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) does not seem to improve cognitive function in older adults.
Possibly Ineffective Obesity
Clinical research suggests that although practicing mindfulness may reduce poor dietary habits, it does not seem to improve weight loss.
Also studied for 50 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Alcohol use disorder
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for alcohol use disorder.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Alzheimer disease
It is unclear if mindfulness-based Alzheimer stimulation (MBAS) is beneficial for Alzheimer disease.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease)
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for ALS.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Anorexia nervosa
Although there has been interest in using mindfulness for anorexia nervosa, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mindfulness for this purpose.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Asthma
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for asthma.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Athletic performance
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for improving athletic performance.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Autism spectrum disorder
It is unclear if practicing a modified mindfulness-based therapy (MBT-AS) is beneficial for autism spectrum disorder.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Benzodiazepine withdrawal
It is unclear if participating in a mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) program is beneficial for reducing the use of benzodiazepines.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Binge eating disorder
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for binge eating disorder.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Bipolar disorder
It is unclear if mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is beneficial for bipolar disorder.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Breast cancer
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for breast cancer.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Bulimia nervosa
It is unclear if mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is beneficial for bulimia nervosa.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Cancer-related pain
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for reducing cancer-related pain.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Cannabis use disorder
It is unclear if mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) is beneficial for cannabis use disorder.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for improving quality of life in patients with CVD.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for chronic neuropathic pain in patients with breast cancer.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Cocaine dependence
Although there has been interest in using mindfulness for cocaine dependence, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mindfulness for this purpose.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Cognitive function
It is unclear if group-based mindfulness meditation is beneficial for improving cognitive function.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Crohn disease
It is unclear if cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based stress reduction (COBMINDEX) is beneficial for Crohn disease.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Diabetes
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Diabetic neuropathy
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for diabetic neuropathy.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Epilepsy
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for epilepsy.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Glaucoma
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for glaucoma.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Hypertension
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for lowering blood pressure.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for IBS symptom reduction.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Labor pain
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for labor pain.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Menopausal symptoms
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for menopausal symptoms.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Methamphetamine use disorder
Although there has been interest in using mindfulness for methamphetamine use disorder, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mindfulness for this purpose.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Multiple sclerosis (MS)
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for MS.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Opioid withdrawal
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for opioid withdrawal.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Pain (chronic)
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for chronic pain reduction.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Parkinson disease
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for Parkinson disease.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for PCOS.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Post-stroke fatigue
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for reducing post-stroke fatigue.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Postherpetic neuralgia
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for postherpetic neuralgia.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Pre-eclampsia
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for preventing pre-eclampsia.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for PMS.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Preterm labor
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for preventing preterm labor.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Psychological well-being
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for psychological well-being.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Respiratory tract infections
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for preventing or reducing the severity of respiratory tract infections.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for RA.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Sexual dysfunction
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for female sexual dysfunction.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Small for gestational age (SGA)
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for preventing SGA newborns.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Somatic symptom disorder
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for somatic symptom disorder.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Stroke
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for reducing fatigue or improving cognition following a stroke.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Suicidal ideation
It is unclear if mindfulness reduces suicidal ideation in otherwise healthy adults.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Tension headache
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for tension headache.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Tinnitus
It is unclear if mindfulness is beneficial for tinnitus.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Tobacco and nicotine dependence
It is unclear if mindfulness-based addiction treatment (MBAT) is beneficial for smoking cessation.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
It is unclear if mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is beneficial for reducing fatigue or improving cognition following a TBI.
Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.
Safety & precautions
For most people, mindfulness is very safe and free of the risks tied to herbs or drugs. Still, a few cautions are worth knowing.
A small number of people find that deep meditation brings up uncomfortable emotions, memories, or anxiety. Anyone with a history of trauma, severe depression, psychosis, or other serious mental health conditions should ideally start with guidance from a qualified teacher or mental health professional.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Mindfulness practices are generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding and may even help with stress and mood. Because mindfulness involves no substance entering the body, there is no chemical risk to the baby.
Mindfulness should be used to support medical care, not replace it. Do not stop prescribed treatment for a mental or physical health condition without talking to your doctor.
Side effects
Mindfulness has no physical side effects in the usual sense—there is nothing being absorbed by the body.
However, some people experience temporary discomfort during practice, such as increased awareness of difficult thoughts or emotions, restlessness, or anxiety. In rare cases, intensive or prolonged meditation has been linked to more distressing experiences in vulnerable individuals.
If practicing mindfulness consistently makes you feel worse, stop and speak with a doctor or mental health professional.
Mindfulness: Reported Adverse Effects
Documented safety reports on Mindfulness from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.
Reports by conditionAnxiety Psychiatric
Some studies report rare cases of anger, worsening anxiety, and thoughts of self-harm in patients, but these effects could have been caused by the underlying ailment rather than practicing mindfulness.
- Hilton L, Hempel S, Ewing BA, et al. Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(2):199-213.
- Zgierska AE, Burzinski CA, Mundt MP, et al. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for alcohol dependence: Findings from a randomized controlled trial. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2019 May;100:8-17.
- Hoge EA, Bui E, Mete M, Dutton MA, Baker AW, Simon NM. Mindfulness-based stress reduction vs escitalopram for the treatment of adults with anxiety disorders: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2022:e223679.
Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center
Dosing
There is no standardized "dose" for mindfulness. Many structured programs, such as MBSR, run for about eight weeks with daily home practice, but you do not need a formal program to benefit.
A common starting point is a few minutes of practice per day, gradually building up as it feels comfortable. Even short, regular sessions can help. Apps, classes, and guided recordings can make it easier to begin.
If you have a serious mental health condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist about whether a guided or professionally supervised program would be a better fit for you.
Mindfulness & Pregnancy
Mindfulness & Breastfeeding
© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center
Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center
References & further reading
The 3 references that drive our Mindfulness monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
- Hilton L, Hempel S, Ewing BA, et al. Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(2):199-213. PubMed
- Zgierska AE, Burzinski CA, Mundt MP, et al. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for alcohol dependence: Findings from a randomized controlled trial. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2019 May;100:8-17. PubMed
- Hoge EA, Bui E, Mete M, Dutton MA, Baker AW, Simon NM. Mindfulness-based stress reduction vs escitalopram for the treatment of adults with anxiety disorders: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2022:e223679. PubMed
This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.
Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Mindfulness: Common Questions
What is Mindfulness used for, and does it work?
Does Mindfulness interact with prescription medications?
How are Mindfulness interactions rated?
Is it safe to take Mindfulness with my medications?
Where does this Mindfulness interaction information come from?
What is Mindfulness used for?
Is Mindfulness safe?
How long does it take to see benefits?
Can Mindfulness replace my medication or therapy?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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