Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study
BackgroundRecent research has shown promising results for the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. One popular view claims that these benefits are mediated by the subjective experiences induced by these substances. Based on this, we designed a virtual reality experience, Psyrreal, that mimics the p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1088896/full |
| _version_ | 1827951050198351872 |
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| author | Karl Kristjan Kaup Madis Vasser Kadi Tulver Mari Munk Juhan Pikamäe Juhan Pikamäe Jaan Aru |
| author_facet | Karl Kristjan Kaup Madis Vasser Kadi Tulver Mari Munk Juhan Pikamäe Juhan Pikamäe Jaan Aru |
| author_sort | Karl Kristjan Kaup |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundRecent research has shown promising results for the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. One popular view claims that these benefits are mediated by the subjective experiences induced by these substances. Based on this, we designed a virtual reality experience, Psyrreal, that mimics the phenomenological components of psychedelic experiences.AimsWe aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Psyrreal and psychedelic VR experiences in treating depressive symptoms as well as explore the effect of Psyrreal on subjective factors which have been suggested to mediate the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.MethodsIn this open-label feasibility study, thirteen participants with mild-to-moderate depression underwent a 2-day therapeutic intervention implementing Psyrreal. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Emotional State Questionnaire (EST-Q2) at the start of the intervention and 2 weeks after. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews after Psyrreal was also conducted as an additional assessment of the method.ResultsA 2-day intervention implementing Psyrreal led to significant decreases in depressive symptoms at the 2-week follow-up (n = 10, p = 0.007, Hedges’ g = 1.046) measured by the Emotional State Questionnaire (EST-Q2). The analysis of semi-structured interviews suggests that Psyrreal could lead to insight and alterations in the sense of self in some people.ConclusionThis work proposes a novel method using virtual reality to augment the treatment of psychological disorders as well as to precisely investigate the mediating subjective factors of the therapeutic effects of psychedelic substances. Our preliminary results suggest that VR experiences combined with psychological support show potential in treating depressive symptoms and further research into similar methods is warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:35:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ee1a1b78c0a8403cbcbb3c22462e6b5c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:35:37Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-ee1a1b78c0a8403cbcbb3c22462e6b5c2023-05-09T11:04:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402023-03-011410.3389/fpsyt.2023.10888961088896Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility studyKarl Kristjan Kaup0Madis Vasser1Kadi Tulver2Mari Munk3Juhan Pikamäe4Juhan Pikamäe5Jaan Aru6Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, EstoniaInstitute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, EstoniaInstitute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, EstoniaPsychiatry Clinic of North Estonia Medical Centre, Tallinn, EstoniaInstitute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, EstoniaInstitute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, EstoniaInstitute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, EstoniaBackgroundRecent research has shown promising results for the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. One popular view claims that these benefits are mediated by the subjective experiences induced by these substances. Based on this, we designed a virtual reality experience, Psyrreal, that mimics the phenomenological components of psychedelic experiences.AimsWe aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Psyrreal and psychedelic VR experiences in treating depressive symptoms as well as explore the effect of Psyrreal on subjective factors which have been suggested to mediate the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.MethodsIn this open-label feasibility study, thirteen participants with mild-to-moderate depression underwent a 2-day therapeutic intervention implementing Psyrreal. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Emotional State Questionnaire (EST-Q2) at the start of the intervention and 2 weeks after. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews after Psyrreal was also conducted as an additional assessment of the method.ResultsA 2-day intervention implementing Psyrreal led to significant decreases in depressive symptoms at the 2-week follow-up (n = 10, p = 0.007, Hedges’ g = 1.046) measured by the Emotional State Questionnaire (EST-Q2). The analysis of semi-structured interviews suggests that Psyrreal could lead to insight and alterations in the sense of self in some people.ConclusionThis work proposes a novel method using virtual reality to augment the treatment of psychological disorders as well as to precisely investigate the mediating subjective factors of the therapeutic effects of psychedelic substances. Our preliminary results suggest that VR experiences combined with psychological support show potential in treating depressive symptoms and further research into similar methods is warranted.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1088896/fullpsychedelicsvirtual realitytherapytherapeutic mechanisms of psychedelicsaltered states of consciousness (ASC)VR-augmented therapy |
| spellingShingle | Karl Kristjan Kaup Madis Vasser Kadi Tulver Mari Munk Juhan Pikamäe Juhan Pikamäe Jaan Aru Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study Frontiers in Psychiatry psychedelics virtual reality therapy therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics altered states of consciousness (ASC) VR-augmented therapy |
| title | Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study |
| title_full | Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study |
| title_fullStr | Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study |
| title_short | Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study |
| title_sort | psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument an open label feasibility study |
| topic | psychedelics virtual reality therapy therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics altered states of consciousness (ASC) VR-augmented therapy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1088896/full |
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