Neuroscience of consciousness
January 1, 2025
Daniel J Morris, D Blaise Elliott, S Gabriela Torres-Platas et al.
3 citations
Combining virtual reality (VR) with lucid dreaming—awareness during a dream—can produce immersive experiences that may deepen effects from VR alone. In a small pilot study, four frequent lucid dreamers experienced a VR simulation called Ripple, which prior research found reduces self-other boundaries and enhances feelings of interconnectedness. After two VR sessions, sounds from Ripple were played during REM sleep. Three participants had lucid dreams about Ripple, and all four reported dream elements from the VR experience. Real-time physiological signals confirmed lucidity and dreaming about the VR content. The findings suggest that lucid dreaming can recapitulate and potentially amplify the psychological impact of prior VR experiences.
Virtual Reality
December 21, 2025
Joana Vidal, Catherine I. Andreu, Maja Wrzesien et al.
A single multi-person virtual reality experience can induce a state of selflessness—where the sense of self as the immediate subject of experience fades—and enhance interpersonal connectedness. It also increases low-arousal positive affect and warmth, and generates mystical and peak experiences in a notable subset of participants. The experience is widely accepted, with few adverse effects reported. This offers a cost-effective, non-pharmacological alternative to meditation and psychedelics for cultivating selflessness.
June 20, 2025
Daniel Morris, Blaise Elliott, Susana G. Torres‐platas et al.
preprint
Combining virtual reality (VR) with lucid dreaming—where a person knows they are dreaming—can create more profound experiences than VR alone. In this study, four frequent lucid dreamers experienced a VR simulation called Ripple, which previously reduced self-other boundaries and enhanced feelings of interconnectedness. Afterward, during REM sleep, sounds from Ripple were played quietly. Three participants had lucid dreams about Ripple, and all four reported dreams containing elements of the VR experience. Lucid dreams were validated in real time via physiological signals. The findings confirm that people can have lucid dreams that recapitulate prior VR experiences, suggesting a synergistic benefit for immersive exploration.
Joe Hardy, Hannes Kettner, David Glowacki et al.
preprint
A group-based virtual reality program called Clear Light, delivered at home over three weeks, improved anxiety, depression, and wellbeing in people with life-threatening illnesses. The program included multi-user VR experiences, video calls, and text chats designed to elicit self-transcendent experiences similar to psychedelics. In a small observational study of 15 participants, moderate improvements were seen in anxiety, depression, wellbeing, demoralization, connectedness, and spiritual wellbeing. The intervention was well-tolerated. The findings suggest potential benefits but are limited by the lack of a comparison group, indicating the need for randomized controlled trials.