Front Psychiatry
March 1, 2023
Karl Kristjan Kaup, Madis Vasser, Kadi Tulver et al.
22 citations
An open-label feasibility study tested whether a virtual reality simulation designed to replicate aspects of the psychedelic experience could be used as a therapeutic tool. Participants reported that the VR experience produced subjective effects resembling those of psychedelics, including altered perception and a sense of oceanic boundlessness. The findings suggest that VR-based psychedelic replications are feasible and acceptable, and may offer a scalable, non-pharmacological approach for mental health interventions. The study did not assess clinical outcomes, but participants showed reduced negative affect after the session. The authors indicate that further controlled research is needed to determine therapeutic efficacy.
July 5, 2022
Kristjan Kaup, Madis Vasser, Kadi Tulver et al.
7 citations
preprint
A 2-day virtual reality intervention called Psyrreal, designed to mimic the phenomenological components of psychedelic experiences, combined with psychological support, led to significant decreases in depressive symptoms at a 2-week follow-up in ten participants with mild-to-moderate depression. The intervention also appeared to promote insight and alterations in the sense of self in some people, based on thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews. These preliminary results suggest potential for VR experiences in treating depressive symptoms and warrant further research.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2023
Karl Kristjan Kaup, Madis Vasser, Kadi Tulver et al.
3 citations
correction
No Summary
May 28, 2023
Timo Siimon, Kadi Tulver, Kristjan Kaup et al.
2 citations
preprint
A psychedelic virtual reality environment, which replicates visual content experienced under the influence of psychedelics, helped people stuck on a real-life creative problem reach new insights more effectively than a control VR environment. The thematic analysis indicated that the psychedelic VR supported several aspects of creative insight, likely by relaxing the person's fixed assumptions about their problem. The results are encouraging but need to be tested in larger studies.