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Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025
Mugglehead Investment Magazine
Alternative investment news based in Vancouver, B.C.
VR can provide benefits of psychedelics without risks, 'Cyberdelics' study finds
VR can provide benefits of psychedelics without risks, 'Cyberdelics' study finds
Image credit: OpenAI

Psychedelics

VR provides benefits of psychedelics without risks, ‘Cyberdelics’ study finds

Participants demonstrated ‘enhanced cognitive flexibility’ after their experiences, the authors say

Researchers from a Catholic university in Italy have discovered that virtual reality can provide benefits associated with psychedelic therapy while avoiding unwanted side effects.

The research, published in May by Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart), has been attracting attention this month. Their article in the journal Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience is called “Cyberdelics: Virtual Reality Hallucinations Modulate Cognitive-Affective Processes.”

For the investigation, they examined 50 subjects after their experience of two 10-minute immersive VR sessions. They used a ‘Secret Garden’ themed video and its hallucinated counterpart created using a Google DeepDream algorithm, as described by the researchers. 

It was determined that these psychedelic simulations provided participants with measurable cognitive benefits.

“Post-hallucinatory visual virtual experience, participants demonstrated enhanced cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control,” the authors explained.

The news comes as many scientists have taken interest in psychoactive substances because of their therapeutic value. Several studies on psychedelics such as psilocybin, published in prominent journals like Nature Mental Health and the American Journal of Psychiatry, have peaked the curiosity of health professionals looking for impactful therapies where conventional medicine falls short.

“Specifically, psychedelic use has been observed to increase brain entropy, decrease complexity in frontal brain regions, and promote communication between generally less interactive brain networks,” the university investigators explained. 

Those responsible for putting the Italian VR assessment together believe technology may hold the key to achieving these desirable patient outcomes without risks and unwanted side effects psychedelics may have. Additionally, it could help therapy providers avoid the legal complications associated with such compounds.

“These effects mirror those observed with psychedelics, ” the authors wrote in their discussion section, “suggesting that simulated hallucinations can replicate the effects of these substances.” 

With regard to limitations, the Italian researchers say the cohort assessed were all young adults. This combined with the small group size limited the generalizability of the findings, they pointed out.

“This study would also benefit from additional control conditions, such as different technologies and videos,” they said. “This would clarify whether the effects were due to the immersive technology, the content being viewed, or the hallucinatory experience.” 

Screenshot from a VR video used in the study. Image credit: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Read more: BC boosts digital tax credit for video game and VR developers to 25%

Read more: Enosis and OVID Clinics offer VR-modulated psychedelic therapy in Berlin

 

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