In a recent study, published in Nature, the researchers conducted a study to assess the effects of a human-computer interaction called "Isness-D" on participants. The study took place at 14 different locations around the world, each of which was equipped with the necessary equipment to run the Isness-D intervention, including virtual reality headsets and computers. Participants were recruited by the hosts of each location and completed a pre-intervention questionnaire before undergoing the Isness-D experience, which was structured in three phases: a preparatory/induction phase, the Isness-D session, and an integration/reflection phase. After the experience, participants completed a post-intervention questionnaire that included measures of intensity of consciousness, mystical experience, experience dose index, and communitas, as well as questions about bodily effects and demographics. The researchers also collected written feedback from participants through a comments section in the post-intervention questionnaire. It is not specified how many participants were included in the study or how the data were analyzed.
Isness-D is a virtual reality (VR) framework that was developed to study self-transcendent experiences (STEs). STEs are transient mental states in which the sense of self as an isolated entity can temporarily fade into an experience of unity with other people or the surroundings. Previous research has shown that psychedelic drugs (YD) are effective in producing STEs, but there is also interest in developing other methods to elicit these experiences. Isness-D is a VR framework that allows groups of people to co-habit a shared virtual space and experience their bodies as luminous energetic essences with diffuse spatial boundaries. This enables moments of "energetic coalescence," a type of embodied intersubjective experience in which bodies can merge, allowing participants to include multiple others within their self-representation. The effects of Isness-D were studied using self-report scales that have previously been used to analyze subjective YD phenomenology. The results of the study showed that Isness-D scores on all four scales were statistically indistinguishable from recently published YD studies, indicating that VR can be used to design intersubjective STEs that involve the dissolution of the sense of self in the connection to others.
"Isness-D" was found to have effects on participants similar to those produced by psychedelics, specifically "yard" (YD) drugs such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA. These effects include an intensity of experience, a sense of connectedness and communitas, and a spiritual significance. Isness-D seems to be distinct from YD drugs in that it is a human-computer interaction (HCI) rather than a chemical substance, and it is designed to ground spiritual concepts in physics insights. Participants in the study reported experiencing a sense of connectedness and a blurring of individual identity through the matter-energy narrative and aesthetics of luminosity in Isness-D. It is suggested that Isness-D may offer a way to cultivate spiritual sensitivities without the "woo-woo" associations that can sometimes be associated with YD experiences.
Quiz:
- What is the main aim of the study of Isness-D?
A) To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Isness-D as a treatment for depression.
B) To compare the effects of Isness-D to those produced by YD drugs.
C) To assess the long-term changes in attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors produced by Isness-D.
D) To determine the optimal dose of Isness-D for producing therapeutic effects. - What is the main difference between Isness-D and YD drugs like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA?
A) Isness-D is a human-computer interaction, while YD drugs are chemical substances.
B) Isness-D is administered orally, while YD drugs are injected.
C) Isness-D is shorter in duration than YD drugs.
D) Isness-D is more expensive than YD drugs. - How many locations participated in the study of Isness-D?
A) 2
B) 5
C) 10
D) 14 - What equipment was used to run the Isness-D intervention at each location?
A) A room-scale play space, a VR-capable computer, a headset, and a pair of OMG-VRs.
B) A room-scale play space, a VR-capable computer, a headset, and a pair of VR gloves.
C) A room-scale play space, a VR-capable computer, a headset, and a treadmill.
D) A room-scale play space, a VR-capable computer, a headset, and a motion capture system. - How were participants recruited for the study of Isness-D?
A) Through an online survey platform.
B) Through flyers distributed in the community.
C) Through personal networks of the researchers.
D) Through the web scheduler and a link circulated to participants. - What measures were used to assess the effects of Isness-D on participants?
A) The ICS scale, the MEQ30, the EDI, and the Communitas questionnaire.
B) The ICS scale, the MEQ30, the EDI, and the Beck Depression Inventory.
C) The ICS scale, the MEQ30, the EDI, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.
D) The ICS scale, the MEQ30, the EDI, and the Big Five Personality Inventory. - How long did the Isness-D experience last for participants?
A) 30 minutes
B) 1 hour
C) 2 hours
D) 3 hours - What were the three phases of the Isness-D experience?
A) Preparatory phase, active phase, and integration phase.
B) Preparatory/induction phase, the Isness-D session, and an integration/reflection phase.
C) Induction phase, active phase, and termination phase.
D) Preparation phase, active phase, and recall phase. - How many participants were included in the study of Isness-D?
A) 58
B) 100
C) 200
D) It is not specified in the information provided. - What types of data were collected from participants in the study of Isness-D?
A) Blood pressure and heart rate measurements.
B) Electroencephalography (EEG) data.
C) Pre- and post-intervention questionnaire data and written feedback.
D) MRI scans. - What is Isness-D?
A) A VR framework that allows people to co-habit a shared virtual space and experience their bodies as luminous energetic essences with diffuse spatial boundaries.
B) A VR game that involves players competing against each other in a virtual arena.
C) A VR training program for astronauts.
D) A VR meditation app.
Answers:
- B) To compare the effects of Isness-D to those produced by YD drugs.
- A) Isness-D is a human-computer interaction, while YD drugs are chemical substances.
- D) 14
- A) A room-scale play space, a VR-capable computer, a headset, and a pair of OMG-VRs.
- D) Through the web scheduler and a link circulated to participants.
- A) The ICS scale, the MEQ30, the EDI, and the Communitas questionnaire.
- C) 2 hours
- B) Preparatory/induction phase, the Isness-D session, and an integration/reflection phase.
- A) 58
- C) Pre- and post-intervention questionnaire data and written feedback.
- A) A VR framework that allows people to co-habit a shared virtual space and experience their bodies as luminous energetic essences with diffuse spatial boundaries.
