Cyberdelics: Virtual reality hallucinations modulate cognitive-affective processes
Introduction Psychedelics were explored for their potential in the mental health field. However, research was delayed by concerns over short-term side effects and long-term consequences of substance use. Technological advances enabled the development of Hallucinatory Visual Virtual Experiences (HVVE...
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| Format: | Article |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19585969.2025.2499459 |
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| author | Giulia Brizzi Chiara Pupillo Clara Rastelli Antonino Greco Luca Bernardelli Anna Flavia Di Natale Silvia Francesca Maria Pizzoli Elena Sajno Fabio Frisone Daniele Di Lernia Giuseppe Riva |
| author_facet | Giulia Brizzi Chiara Pupillo Clara Rastelli Antonino Greco Luca Bernardelli Anna Flavia Di Natale Silvia Francesca Maria Pizzoli Elena Sajno Fabio Frisone Daniele Di Lernia Giuseppe Riva |
| author_sort | Giulia Brizzi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Psychedelics were explored for their potential in the mental health field. However, research was delayed by concerns over short-term side effects and long-term consequences of substance use. Technological advances enabled the development of Hallucinatory Visual Virtual Experiences (HVVEs), namely psychedelic experiences simulations in immersive virtual reality. This study investigated HVVEs’ impact on cognitive flexibility, affective response, and autonomic activity.Methods 50 healthy participants underwent assessments of cognitive flexibility, control inhibition, emotional response, and autonomic activity at baseline. Participants were then exposed to two 10-minute immersive virtual reality (IVR) experiences: ‘The Secret Garden’ and its hallucinated counterpart created using Google DeepDream algorithm. All measures were presented after each video, in addition to the flow experience assessment.Results Post-HVVE, participants demonstrated enhanced cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. They reported increased flow-absorption and decreased flow-fluency. Both IVR experiences reduced positive affects and state anxiety compared to baseline; additionally, IVR reduced heart rate and sympathetic activity compared to baseline.Conclusions HVVEs produced psychedelic positive effects on cognitive and emotional functioning. The complex emotional and autonomic profile mimicked awakened relaxation that, in conjunction with the cognitive flexibility enhancement, could offer the unique opportunity to exploit psychedelic advantages while mitigating risks, opening new avenues for therapeutic approaches. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e2650d50e1c141cf8ebe247c4c4fb0fc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1958-5969 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-e2650d50e1c141cf8ebe247c4c4fb0fc2025-08-20T03:53:51ZengTaylor & Francis GroupDialogues in Clinical Neuroscience1958-59692025-12-0127111210.1080/19585969.2025.2499459Cyberdelics: Virtual reality hallucinations modulate cognitive-affective processesGiulia Brizzi0Chiara Pupillo1Clara Rastelli2Antonino Greco3Luca Bernardelli4Anna Flavia Di Natale5Silvia Francesca Maria Pizzoli6Elena Sajno7Fabio Frisone8Daniele Di Lernia9Giuseppe Riva10Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, ItalyHumane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, ItalyMEG Center, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, GermanyBecome-Hub, Milan, ItalyDep artment of Ps y chology, Università Catt olica del Sacro C uore, Milan, I talyHumane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, ItalyHumane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, ItalyHumane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, ItalyHumane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, ItalyIntroduction Psychedelics were explored for their potential in the mental health field. However, research was delayed by concerns over short-term side effects and long-term consequences of substance use. Technological advances enabled the development of Hallucinatory Visual Virtual Experiences (HVVEs), namely psychedelic experiences simulations in immersive virtual reality. This study investigated HVVEs’ impact on cognitive flexibility, affective response, and autonomic activity.Methods 50 healthy participants underwent assessments of cognitive flexibility, control inhibition, emotional response, and autonomic activity at baseline. Participants were then exposed to two 10-minute immersive virtual reality (IVR) experiences: ‘The Secret Garden’ and its hallucinated counterpart created using Google DeepDream algorithm. All measures were presented after each video, in addition to the flow experience assessment.Results Post-HVVE, participants demonstrated enhanced cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. They reported increased flow-absorption and decreased flow-fluency. Both IVR experiences reduced positive affects and state anxiety compared to baseline; additionally, IVR reduced heart rate and sympathetic activity compared to baseline.Conclusions HVVEs produced psychedelic positive effects on cognitive and emotional functioning. The complex emotional and autonomic profile mimicked awakened relaxation that, in conjunction with the cognitive flexibility enhancement, could offer the unique opportunity to exploit psychedelic advantages while mitigating risks, opening new avenues for therapeutic approaches.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19585969.2025.2499459Psychedelicsvisual hallucinationscognitive flexibilityvirtual realityartificial intelligenceDeepDream |
| spellingShingle | Giulia Brizzi Chiara Pupillo Clara Rastelli Antonino Greco Luca Bernardelli Anna Flavia Di Natale Silvia Francesca Maria Pizzoli Elena Sajno Fabio Frisone Daniele Di Lernia Giuseppe Riva Cyberdelics: Virtual reality hallucinations modulate cognitive-affective processes Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience Psychedelics visual hallucinations cognitive flexibility virtual reality artificial intelligence DeepDream |
| title | Cyberdelics: Virtual reality hallucinations modulate cognitive-affective processes |
| title_full | Cyberdelics: Virtual reality hallucinations modulate cognitive-affective processes |
| title_fullStr | Cyberdelics: Virtual reality hallucinations modulate cognitive-affective processes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cyberdelics: Virtual reality hallucinations modulate cognitive-affective processes |
| title_short | Cyberdelics: Virtual reality hallucinations modulate cognitive-affective processes |
| title_sort | cyberdelics virtual reality hallucinations modulate cognitive affective processes |
| topic | Psychedelics visual hallucinations cognitive flexibility virtual reality artificial intelligence DeepDream |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19585969.2025.2499459 |
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