2023-07-07 10:06:05
Virtual Reality Provides Psychedelic Experience Without Drugs, Research Shows
Leiden University neuroscientist Michiel van Elk and his colleagues have conducted research using virtual reality (VR) to recreate the psychedelic experience without the need for mind-altering drugs. The aim of the study is to determine whether a virtual psychedelic experience can produce similar effects as real psychedelics, which could be beneficial in the treatment of mental disorders.
Participants in the study are seated in a comfortable chair and provided with VR goggles and soundproof headphones, completely immersing them in the virtual world. They are taken on a psychedelic journey through vibrant landscapes of plants and molecules, the specifics of which are not disclosed. The entire experience lasts approximately fifteen minutes, including a guided return to reality.
The study is open to anyone, but a pre-screening process is conducted to ensure the suitability of participants. Individuals who are prone to nausea are advised not to participate.
The research aims to explore two main aspects. Firstly, the team is interested in understanding how personal factors influence sensitivity to the virtual reality experience. Participants are asked questions regarding their vividness of imagination, as well as their susceptibility to hypnosis. The second aspect focuses on the effects of the experience itself. The researchers measure participants’ heart rate and sweat response using electrodes and sensors, respectively, to determine levels of relaxation or excitement. Participants are also required to rate the intensity of the experience at various intervals using a volume button and complete a questionnaire about their overall experience afterwards.
The long-term contribution of this research lies in the potential to harness the positive effects of a psychedelic experience. Previous studies have shown that such experiences can lead to increased feelings of connection to nature and others, as well as reductions in depression, addiction, and anxiety. By demonstrating that these effects can also be achieved through a virtual reality psychedelic experience, the findings could pave the way for its use in psychological disorder treatment or as a stress-relief tool.
The choice to conduct this research at the Lowlands festival was strategic. By gathering a more representative sample from festival-goers, the researchers believe that their findings can be more easily generalized. Additionally, opportunities arise to investigate whether the experience differs when individuals are under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
The Lowlands music festival serves as a venue for scientific research each year, with the Lowlands Science Lab offering opportunities for festival visitors to participate. Lowlands 2023 is scheduled to take place on August 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2023.]
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