A systematic review and meta-analysis of meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being found that mindfulness-based meditation programs showed moderate evidence of reducing anxiety, depression, and pain, with low evidence for stress/distress and mental health-related quality of life. Meditation programs had low or insufficient evidence of effect on positive mood, attention, substance use, eating, sleep, and weight. No evidence showed meditation programs were more effective than active treatments like drugs, exercise, or other behavioral therapies. The study included 47 trials with 3,320 participants, and most were short-term. Evidence was limited by small sample sizes, variability in study designs, and lack of control for placebo effects. Meditation programs showed small to moderate effects on negative stress outcomes but no significant effects on positive outcomes. The study concluded that clinicians should consider meditation programs as a potential tool for addressing psychological stress, but stronger studies are needed to determine their effects on positive mental health outcomes and stress-related behaviors. The review highlights the need for further research to better understand the efficacy of meditation programs in improving mental health and stress-related behaviors.A systematic review and meta-analysis of meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being found that mindfulness-based meditation programs showed moderate evidence of reducing anxiety, depression, and pain, with low evidence for stress/distress and mental health-related quality of life. Meditation programs had low or insufficient evidence of effect on positive mood, attention, substance use, eating, sleep, and weight. No evidence showed meditation programs were more effective than active treatments like drugs, exercise, or other behavioral therapies. The study included 47 trials with 3,320 participants, and most were short-term. Evidence was limited by small sample sizes, variability in study designs, and lack of control for placebo effects. Meditation programs showed small to moderate effects on negative stress outcomes but no significant effects on positive outcomes. The study concluded that clinicians should consider meditation programs as a potential tool for addressing psychological stress, but stronger studies are needed to determine their effects on positive mental health outcomes and stress-related behaviors. The review highlights the need for further research to better understand the efficacy of meditation programs in improving mental health and stress-related behaviors.