Can Nature in VR Ease Chronic Pain? New Study Says Yes
Summary: A recent study shows that spending time in virtual reality (VR) nature scenes can help reduce long-term pain, almost as much as medication. The more you feel like you’re actually there, the more your pain seems to ease.
Pain Relief Without Pills? VR Nature Scenes Activate Brain’s Pain Modulation Pathways
Getting lost in a virtual reality scene of nature might just be a breakthrough when it comes to managing chronic pain without popping pills. A study from the University of Exeter, published in the journal Pain, showed that people who experienced immersive 360-degree natural environments felt less sensitive to pain. It’s pretty amazing how just being in virtual nature can turn on the brain’s built-in pain-fighting system.
Did you know that experiencing nature in VR can help reduce pain almost twice as much as just watching a regular 2D video?
Researchers tested this out by having people watch immersive VR nature scenes versus standard 2D videos. What they found was pretty interesting, people felt nearly twice the relief from pain when they were immersed in VR. It really seems like the key factor here is the feeling of ‘being there,’ or what they call the sense of presence, which makes a big difference in how we perceive pain.
How the Study Was Conducted
We had 29 healthy people come in for the study, where they experienced gentle electric shocks to mimic chronic nerve pain.
- On their first visit, they just sat through 50 minutes without any visuals, so we could see how sensitive they are to pain naturally.
- Later on, they took part in a 45-minute virtual reality session, immersing themselves in a stunning scene of Oregon waterfalls around them.
- They also watched the same waterfall scene in just regular 2D and filled out some questionnaires about how much pain they felt and whether they felt truly present in the experience.
VR Changed How Pain Signals Travel in the Brain
On a separate day, participants underwent MRI brain scans during a cold-induced pain test. The results revealed that immersive VR altered connectivity in brain regions involved in pain modulation. Those with stronger brain network connectivity in these areas experienced less pain—proving that the experience wasn’t just psychological but neurological.
Why This Matters: A New Tool for Pain Management
According to Dr. Sam Hughes, lead author and pain neuroscience expert, “Not everyone with chronic pain can get outdoors. VR offers a scalable, drug-free alternative that taps into the brain’s natural systems.”
Co-author Dr. Sonia Medina added, “The more present participants felt in nature, the stronger the pain relief. This immersive effect could transform how we treat pain in hospitals and care homes.”
The Power of Presence and Immersion
The study found that pain reduction lasted beyond the VR session, with effects visible even after 5 minutes post-immersion. Importantly, participants who reported a higher sense of presence during the VR nature scenes showed the greatest reduction in pain sensitivity.
Wrapping-up
This research provides scientific evidence that VR-based nature therapy can activate the brain’s innate pain-suppression mechanisms. By simulating natural environments in a fully immersive way, VR can offer a promising non-pharmacological alternative for managing long-term pain. More research could lead to its adoption in clinical settings like hospitals and elder care facilities, making pain relief more accessible and holistic.
Dane
I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.
