Virtual reality addiction

Virtual Reality Addiction is an addiction to the use of virtual reality or virtual, immersive environments. Currently, interactive virtual media (such as social networks) are referred to as virtual reality, whereas future virtual reality refers to computer-simulated, immersive environments/worlds. Experts are comparing the use of Virtual Reality (both in its current and future form) to the use of drugs, bringing with these comparisons the concern that, like drugs, users could possibly get addicted to virtual reality.

The discussion of Virtual Reality Addiction is interdisciplinary with interests in technology, psychology, philosophy and law.

Virtual Reality Addiction has also been a theme (both passing and central) in many Science Fiction writings and media.

History

Virtual Reality Addiction has been discussed since 1995 (in the form of Internet Addiction), but it is only recently, with the rise of social media and the Internet (virtual media), that Virtual Reality Addiction in the present time is being studied and discussed. In 2014, Virtual Reality with regards to computer-simulated, immersive environments had been compared to hard drugs in their effect on the user in multiple publications.

History in science fiction

• The Veldt (1951). By Ray Bradbury.
• Hollow Pursuits (Star Trek: The Next Generation).
• Pathfinder (Star Trek: Voyager).
• The Game (Star Trek: The Next Generation).

Differences from video game addiction

Virtual Reality Addiction can sometimes be confused with or related to Video Game Addiction. However The Two concepts are different from each other.

Video game addiction is an excessive or compulsive use of computer games or video games, which interferes with a person's everyday life. While Virtual Reality Addiction is the excessive or compulsive use of Virtual Environments (both Virtual Reality and Interactive Technologies such as Social Media).

The Major difference between the addictions is the platform that the person becomes addicted to. In Video Game Addiction the person becomes addicted to Video Games while in Virtual Reality Addiction the person becomes addicted to Virtual Reality, or more specifically computer-simulated, immersive environments.

Comparison to hard drugs

Many experts are comparing virtual reality to hard drugs. There are two ways in which Virtual Reality is being compared to hard drugs.

One comparison is that the simulated, immersive envrionments that virtual reality can place users in can give users the same hallucinogenic experience that users of hallucinogenic drugs such as [...] may experience.

The other comparison is that just as drugs give users a "high" through the release of pleasurable chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins into the brain, so does Virtual Reality Games. Video Games can facilitate players to enter a state of consciousness called flow, where players are fully immersed in the game while feeling and performing at their best. The state of flow releases endorphins and dopamine but at a lower grade. However, because of the immersive effects of Virtual Reality, players experience "deep embodiment" (where the player feels fully immersed physically), which leads to a deeper state of flow and so a higher-grade release of endorphins and dopamine. The pleasurable effects experienced by Virtual Reality Game players May Be like the pleasurable effects experienced by [...] users, and be just as addicting.

Depiction in fiction

• The Veldt (1951). By Ray Bradbury. A short story from The Illustrated Man, this grim tale describes two children who prefer their simulated-reality nursery to their parents.
• Hollow Pursuits (Star Trek: The Next Generation). Lieutenant Reginald Barclay uses the Holodeck to act in a simulation of other Enterprise crew members, avoiding contact with their real counterparts, showing signs of Holo Addiction.
• Pathfinder (Star Trek: Voyager). Lieutenant Reginald Barclay is involved in the Pathfinder project, using the Holodeck. Barclay soon becomes obsessed and loses himself in the simulation of the Voyager, enjoying the friendships with the simulated crew members.

Current form

In the current discussions of Virtual Reality Addiction, Virtual Reality is taken as being interactive virtual media, such as social media or interactive platforms. In its current form the discussion of Virtual Reality Addiction encompasses mostly addiction to interactive media such as Internet Addiction and Video Game Addiction.