Self Reflection

Floating around a room you see a familiar figure below. Then you realise – it’s you! This is a virtual reality simulation of an out-of-body experience. Sensors attached to your body help to build the illusion of sitting in a room staring at yourself in the mirror. Then, with a press of a button, your perspective lifts – now you’re a disembodied observer. Participants in this experience were asked questions about their connection to their virtual selves, but also quizzed about how they felt about death - some were less anxious after the experience. These responses highlight the power of virtual reality in raising awareness to beliefs and thoughts. Similar technology could potentially help in medical situations when awareness is lacking, such as anxiety disorders or phobias including thanatophobia, the fear of death.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

Website

• Image from work by Pierre Bourdin, Itxaso Barberia and Ramon Oliva, and Mel Slater
• Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
• Image originally published under a Creative Commons Licence (BY 4.0)
• Published in PLOS One, January 2017