psyche
Depersonalization
Adverse effectDepersonalization is an adverse outcome in the psyche category. It is treated here as an unwanted effect rather than a beneficial outcome.
A focused overview of Depersonalization, presented within the psyche category for easier understanding.
These are research findings, not promises. Most options have little evidence, and results differ from person to person.
What can cause it
How likely each one is to cause it, most likely first.
Mindfulness MeditationpracticeUnclear
Based on 2 studies. Strongest study: a non-randomized trial.
A quasi-experimental study of 78 healthy participants found increased depersonalization on the MBI after Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Open the Mindfulness Meditation pageFocused Attention MeditationpracticeUnclear
Based on one study.
A pharmacology reference notes that intensive meditation may bring transient feelings of detachment from oneself or one's surroundings, particularly for people with a history of trauma or dissociation.
Open the Focused Attention Meditation pageMeditationpracticeUnclear
Based on one study.
Pharmacology references describe reports of temporary depersonalization during intensive meditation, particularly in retreat settings or among people with pre-existing vulnerability.
Open the Meditation pageBreathworkpracticesimple.meter.userReports
Based on one study.
Open the Breathwork pageTranscendental Meditationpracticesimple.meter.userReports
Based on one study.
Open the Transcendental Meditation page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What can cause it
Interventions reported to bring this on5 listedHighest probability
- →PracticesMindfulness MeditationCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A quasi-experimental study of 78 healthy participants found increased depersonalization on the MBI after Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Who was studied
- Healthy people
Open Mindfulness MeditationStudy result
Increase in depersonalization (MBI) after MBSR
- →PracticesFocused Attention MeditationCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge1 other source
A pharmacology reference notes that intensive meditation may bring transient feelings of detachment from oneself or one's surroundings, particularly for people with a history of trauma or dissociation.
Open Focused Attention MeditationStudy result
Some individuals may experience transient feelings of detachment from self or surroundings (depersonalization) during intensive meditation, particularly in those with a history of trauma or dissociation.
- →PracticesMeditationCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge1 other source
Pharmacology references describe reports of temporary depersonalization during intensive meditation, particularly in retreat settings or among people with pre-existing vulnerability.
Open MeditationStudy result
Some individuals report transient depersonalization during intensive meditation, particularly in retreat settings or with pre-existing vulnerability.
- →PracticesBreathworkCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
Altered breathing patterns may induce transient depersonalization or derealization, especially during extended sessions.
- →PracticesTranscendental MeditationCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
Rare instances of transient depersonalization or derealization, particularly in individuals with pre-existing vulnerability to dissociation.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Depersonalization is an adverse outcome in the psyche category. It is treated here as an unwanted effect rather than a beneficial outcome. Reports associate it with interventions including CBD (Cannabidiol), Glycine, L-Theanine, and Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), but the listed evidence for these associations is anecdotal.
How interventions help
These interventions are not presented as established ways to reduce depersonalization. Instead, the available entries describe depersonalization being reported in connection with CBD (Cannabidiol), Glycine, L-Theanine, Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), Gratitude Journal, and Meditation. The reports do not establish that any of these interventions reliably causes the experience, nor do they show that one is more likely than another.
The practical pattern differs by intervention. Supplements are represented through individual reports, without information here about a consistent dose, duration, onset, or whether the experience continued after use stopped. Reflective practices may involve the intensity or frequency of the practice: journaling and meditation are described in relation to detachment experiences in particular circumstances, rather than as inevitable outcomes of ordinary use.
Because the evidence is anecdotal and the reports do not provide a controlled comparison, they are best read as signals that some people have associated these interventions with depersonalization, not as proof of a predictable effect. The information also does not identify which people are most susceptible or define a safe duration or amount for preventing the experience.
Choosing guidance
These options are not directly interchangeable: the list combines supplements with journaling and meditation. The available support is anecdotal rather than evidence from clearly identified clinical studies in a specified health population, so it cannot establish that any option reliably causes depersonalization or predict who will experience it.
There is also no information here about the amount used, how long an option was used, or how quickly the experience appeared. That makes the options unsuitable for comparison by dose, duration, or speed of onset. Reports involving reflective or contemplative practices may also depend on how frequently or intensively they are performed, which is different from evaluating a supplement as a fixed product.
No option can be matched confidently to a particular person, symptom pattern, or level of risk from this evidence alone. Someone choosing among them should therefore treat the entries as signals to monitor rather than as a basis for selecting one option over another. If depersonalization appears or becomes distressing after starting a supplement or practice, pausing that change and seeking individualized clinical guidance may be more appropriate than switching to another listed option.