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Metaverse and mental health, what about the future?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2023

A. M. Matas Ochoa ,
S. Rubio Corgo  and
I. Durán Cristóbal
A. M. Matas Ochoa*
Affiliation:
Psychiatry, Infanta Leonor University Hospital, MADRID, Spain
S. Rubio Corgo
Affiliation:
Psychiatry, Infanta Leonor University Hospital, MADRID, Spain
I. Durán Cristóbal
Affiliation:
Psychiatry, Infanta Leonor University Hospital, MADRID, Spain
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

The metaverse is a digital world created using different technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), cryptocurrency and the internet.

Interest in the metaverse has grown in recent months in different fields and it could have potential application in the treatment of mental health disorders.

Objectives

To gain a better understanding of metaverse and to explore its possible applications on mental health.

Methods

Review of recent literature about the implications of the metaverse users in mental health.

Results

Metaverse is a virtual universe where people can interact with other users, objects, and environments personifying an avatar. VR, AR and mixed reality (MR) have been used in the treatment and diagnosis of various mental health disorders for last years.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder have been already benefited from VR. Also, there are results to treat persecutory delusions in psychosis. On the other hand, we know that to spend a significant amount of time playing 3D immersive games and using social media, could lead to insecurity, anxiety, depression and behavioural addiction.

The lack of evidence and these risks could be limitations to implement Metaverse for the therapeutic management of mental health.

Many companies have already started to develop virtual mental health clinics with mental health professionals serving patients in real time, some spaces have already offer group therapy sessions. Other immersive spaces have also been created for practising mindfulness, meditation, or yoga.

Conclusions

The new technologys have changed the way that we socialise, work, and interact, even the way that we receive medical treatment. The metaverse could prove useful in the management of the mental health disorders that have already benefited from VR, but at the same time we could potentially lead to the worsening of others.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 66 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 31st European Congress of Psychiatry , March 2023 , pp. S555
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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