Research in this field—not to mention the reporting of its results—”generally conveys the impression that Buddhism is particularly concerned with the promotion of pro-sociality, and that meditation is the means to achieve it,” the researchers write. But “leading academics of South Asian religions” argue that, “for most forms of Buddhism, it is not meditation, but the study of sacred scriptures that is the most valued means to achieve deep personal transformation.” Meditation, in other words, is being oversold, based in part on shaky research.

There are plenty of good reasons to meditate. Studies have linked the ancient practice to improved mental and physical health, and even found it promotes rational thinking.

But can it make you a better person, as many have claimed? Rigorous new research concludes: Not so much.

A meta-study that examines research on the purported link between meditation practice and selfless behavior finds most of it is deeply flawed.

“The popularization of meditation techniques in a secular format is offering the hope of a better self, and a better world, to many,” write Ute Kreplin of Massey University in New Zealand and Miguel Farias and Inti Brazil of Coventry University in England.

“Despite these high hopes, our analysis suggests that meditating is likely to have a positive, but still relatively limited effect in making individuals feel or act in a substantially more socially connected, or less aggressive and prejudiced way.”

For this first-ever review of the scientific literature on mediation and pro-social behavior, published in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers scoured databases for relevant research.

They focused exclusively on randomized controlled trials—widely considered the gold standard of medical research—and found 22, with a combined total of 1,685 participants. All defined meditation as “a form of focused attention;” most were published between 2010 and 2015.

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