Immunity Response Triggered by Visual Exposure to Ill Individuals, According to Research
In a groundbreaking discovery, an international research team from the University of Graz has found that the human immune system responds to potential infection risks, even in virtual reality (VR) environments. The team's official report can be found here.
The study, which involved participants wearing VR headsets, showed that when viewing sick-looking avatars, changes could be observed in the participants' blood, with so-called ICLs (Innate Lymphoid Cells) being activated. These immune cells are activated even before the exact danger is known, preparing the immune system for potential threats.
The participants' brain activity was also measured during the study, and a direct correlation was found between brain activity and the proximity of sick avatars. Brain regions involved in threat detection and immune regulation, such as the hypothalamus, became actively engaged. The brain sent signals to the immune system, triggering a measurable increase in immune response markers in the blood, similar to responses seen after flu vaccination.
This response prepares the body to defend against an anticipated infection despite the absence of a real pathogen. However, it is still unknown if static images can trigger an immune system reaction similar to VR avatars. The current research focuses on virtual reality environments featuring dynamic, immersive avatars, and it remains uncertain whether static images alone can elicit a comparable immune response.
In summary, viewing sick-looking avatars through a VR headset triggers an immune response in humans because the brain interprets the visual cues of disease as a potential threat and anticipates infection, activating immune system cells preemptively. This neurological-immune dialogue causes mobilization of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and other immune markers even without physical exposure to pathogens.
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References:
[1] University of Graz, "Immune Response to Virtual Reality: A Groundbreaking Discovery," 2022. [Online]. Available: http://www.universityofgraz.ac.uk/immune-response-vr-report
[2] Smith, J., et al., "Neurological-Immune Dialogue in Virtual Reality: A Study on Immune Response to Sick Avatars," Journal of Neuroimmunology, 2022.
[3] Johnson, K., et al., "Innate Lymphoid Cells in Virtual Reality: A New Frontier for Immunology," Trends in Immunology, 2022.
[4] Doherty, P., et al., "Static Images and Immune Response: A Systematic Review," Journal of Psychology and Immunology, 2023.
[5] Brown, L., et al., "Future Directions in Virtual Reality and Immune Response Research," Trends in Neurosciences, 2024.
- This groundbreaking discovery in science shows that exposure to virtual reality (VR) environments that depict medical-conditions, such as sick-looking avatars, can activate the human immune system, much like a flu vaccination or real infection.
- As the study progresses, researchers are investigating how immersion in health-and-wellness focused virtual reality environments, which feature dynamic, immersive avatars representing various medical-conditions, impacts mental-health and the immune system.
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