Virtual Reality Tricks Brain's GPS: A New Frontier in Neuroscience

Can virtual reality diagnose and treat mental illnesses better than traditional methods?

Researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and EPFL have discovered that virtual reality can induce self-location illusions and activate grid cells in the brain without physical movement or visual cues.

This groundbreaking study used MRI-compatible VR technology and multisensory stimulation to create the illusion of being in a different location. The findings reveal that our brain's GPS coordinates respond to cognitive experiences, opening new avenues for diagnosing hallucinatory symptoms and developing therapies for conditions like out-of-body experiences.

The research highlights the potential of VR to revolutionize our understanding and treatment of neurological disorders by targeting specific brain mechanisms.

Read the full article on SciTechDaily.

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