> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence/how-thc-uses-evidence-responsibly.md). # How THC Uses Evidence Responsibly The principles THC uses to distinguish promising evidence, established support, uncertainty, and inappropriate claims. The Holistic Care aims to be useful without overstating what mindfulness can do. ## Our evidence principles ### 1. We distinguish wellbeing support from treatment A mindfulness practice may support attention, emotional awareness, stress management, rest, or self-reflection. That is different from claiming that it diagnoses, treats, or cures a medical or mental-health condition. ### 2. We pay attention to comparison groups A program may appear helpful compared with doing nothing, yet show a smaller difference when compared with another active program. That distinction matters. ### 3. We consider age and context Research involving adults should not automatically be presented as evidence for preschool children, and findings from one school population may not generalise to another. ### 4. We acknowledge mixed findings The evidence base includes positive findings, null findings, variation in program quality, and limitations in study design. ### 5. We include safety and boundaries The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that mindfulness and meditation are generally considered low-risk but that adverse experiences can occur and safety research remains incomplete. [Read NCCIH: Meditation and Mindfulness — Effectiveness and Safety](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-and-mindfulness-effectiveness-and-safety) THC therefore treats mindfulness as a potentially valuable educational and wellbeing practice, not a universal solution. ## Related guidance * [Research & Evidence](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence) * [Mindfulness and Children](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence/mindfulness-and-children) * [Mindfulness in Schools](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence/mindfulness-in-schools) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence/how-thc-uses-evidence-responsibly.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.