Altered states of consciousness in virtual reality environments

• US 20060247489A1
• Filed: 03/22/2004
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Virtual Media Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Virtual Media Incorporated
• Inventors: Mastropaolo, Joseph John, Carbis, Colin Richard
• Application Number:
  US10/551,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20060247489A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/005 images, e.g. video
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis

Abstract

A device which induces altered states of consciousness by hypnosis, guided imagery, mediation or relaxation in a virtual reality environment. The embodiment discloses placing an audio visual headset on a subject, connecting this to a compact portable DVD player and then playing a short DVD movie so that the subject is placed into a relaxed state and ultimately drawing them into a deep state of hypnosis.

Claims

1. A method for inducing hypnosis in a patient in a partially immersive virtual reality environment comprising subjecting said patient to verbal suggestion and visual images shown by a two or three dimensional display device.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising subjecting said patient to additional auditory stimuli.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the two or three dimensional display device is a wide field-of-view display.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the wide field-of-view display is a projection screen.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the two or three dimensional display device is a head mounted display.

11. A method according to claim 1 in the treatment of a psychosomatic disease in a human.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the psychosomatic disease is irritable bowel syndrome, herpes simplex, headache or stomach cramps.

13. A method according to claim 1 in the treatment of a somatic disease in a human.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the somatic disease is irritable bowel disease, arthritis, multiple sclerosis or cancer.

15. A method according to claim 1 in the treatment of a behavioural disorder in a human.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the behavioural disorder is attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, post trauma distress disorder, postnatal depression, bulimia or obesity.

17. A method according to claim 1 in the treatment of a phobia in a human.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the phobia is fear of dogs, spiders, snakes, flying, heights or ships.

19. A method according to claim 1 in palliative care.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the palliative care is used to treat grief or fear of death.

21. A method according to claim 1 in the treatment of trauma or physical injury in humans.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the trauma or physical injury is burns, post surgical wounds, puncture wounds or ulcers.

23. A method according to claim 1 in the treatment of mood disorders in humans.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the mood disorder is anxiety, panic disorders or depression.

25. A method according to claim 1 in the treatment of and/or management of pain in humans.

26. A method according to claim 1 with or without chemical agents in anaesthetizing a human for surgical procedures.

27. A method according to claim 1 to alleviate boredom.

28. A method according to claim 1 with or without chemical agents to assist with childbirth.

29. A method according to claim 1 to improve skill development in sport, work or any other physical endeavour.

30. A method according to claim 1 to motivate humans involved in sport, work, war or any other endeavour that requires motivational modification.

6. A method for inducing hypnosis in a patient in a fully immersive virtual reality environment comprising subjecting said patient to verbal suggestion and visual images shown by a two or three dimensional display device.

7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising subjecting said patient to additional auditory stimuli.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the two or three dimensional display device is a wide field-of-view display.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the wide field-of-view display is a projection screen.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the two or three dimensional display device is a head mounted display.