A virtual reality (VR) experience called 'Isness', designed using concepts from psychedelic research, can induce mystical-type experiences (MTEs) comparable to those from high doses of psilocybin or LSD. In a study of 57 participants, responses to a standard psychedelic experience questionnaire showed MTEs similar to those reported in double-blind clinical trials. The authors suggest that both psychedelic drugs and VR belong to a broader spectrum of psychedelic technologies. Within a supportive setting, VR can create conditions for MTEs that participants find insightful and meaningful.
Virtual reality can induce profound mystical experiences similar to those triggered by psychedelic substances, without the need for drugs. A groundbreaking human-computer interaction (cs.HC) experiment showed that carefully designed VR environments can create transformative group experiences where participants perceive themselves as pure energy, fostering deep feelings of connection and transcendence. Data from 57 participants revealed emotional responses matching those reported in clinical studies of psilocybin and LSD.
A virtual reality journey called 'Isness' can induce mystical-type experiences (MTEs) comparable to those from high doses of psilocybin or LSD. In a study of 57 participants, responses to a standard psychedelic experience questionnaire showed MTE levels similar to those in double-blind clinical trials. The authors argue that both psychedelic drugs and virtual reality belong to a broader spectrum of psychedelic technologies. Within a supportive setting, VR phenomenology can create conditions for MTEs that participants find insightful and meaningful.