Today in the United States, opioid addiction is a problem–a BIG problem. Big enough in fact that Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared it a national emergency, which is why natural pain relief solutions are getting more and more attention all the time.
Unfortunately, opiates are one of the most widely prescribed chronic pain medications, which is largely why they account for an average of 115 deaths each day in the US. This has doctors exploring natural solutions to prescription drugs, including the use of virtual reality (VR) as a pain remedy. (1)
Natural Chronic Pain Relief
VR uses computer technology to create a 3-dimensional world which feels real to the user—thus the term “virtual reality.” While this concept may be captivating to gamers and other online users, it is becoming even more so for researchers seeking new pain management medications. (2)
To help explain the theory behind VR being a possible replacement for opioids, we look to the “gate control theory” originally proposed by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall back in the 1960’s. It suggests that there is a neurological “gate” in the spinal column which either blocks pain signals or allows them to continue to the brain.
This goes along with the long-observed phenomena of emotions and expectations increasing the pain response. Simply put, this means that if you fear pain or expect something to hurt, your pain response will increase over what you may otherwise feel without these fears or expectations. (3)
Closing the Gate
VR works by helping to control your perception of pain which in essence helps “close the gate” to it. This is essentially a diversion from pain, such as when your dentist has you listen to your favorite music during treatments so that you focus on the music rather than on the work being done. However, VR takes it a step further by theoretically removing more perceived pain stimuli through the occupation of more senses than just sound.
This may take the form of relaxing imagery such as lazing on a warm tropical beach, swimming with dolphins, strolling through green forests or other warm, inviting, natural scenarios. The main idea is for these pleasurable imageries to help replace the pain response so that quality of life is restored. (4)
And, there is relevance to this theory, with recent studies showing that VR may reduce pain by up to 69% during sessions, and 53% immediately after. To put this in perspective, an opiate such as morphine reduces pain by only around 25-30%, meaning it is not only more dangerous, but a potentially less effective treatment as well. (5)
Making Headway in the Fight against Opiates
Due to the promising nature of VR as a tool in reducing chronic pain, more research and development is being done to create even more personalized and immersive experiences. This includes the use of data analytics to optimize pain-reduction, as well as completely new technologies such as combining the power of VR with complicit learning and other techniques to alter how pain is perceived.
When combined with these advancements, VR may one day meet the underlying goal of permanently reducing the neuropsychological perceptions of chronic pain and become one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of our time. Not only is this important in improving the safety and comfort of pain sufferers, it can also help reduce the estimated $115 billion impact opioid use had on healthcare costs in 2017—up from $95 billion in 2016. This includes emergency room visits, ambulance use, the cost of overdose medications, and also expresses the urgent need for safe solutions to long-term pain management. (5,6)
The VR Solution
While there is still more research and development to be done, there is nonetheless a great deal of hope when it comes to VR’s potential in natural pain relief. Not only may it one day be the solution to the danger and high cost of the opioid crisis, it may also be a more effective alternative to prescription drugs.
And that alone makes the virtual world well worth exploring.
References:
- https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2017/10/26/hhs-acting-secretary-declares-public-health-emergency-address-national-opioid-crisis.html
- https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/other-gadgets/virtual-reality.htm
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-gate-control-theory-2795208
- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/08/19/751495463/got-pain-a-virtual-swim-with-dolphins-may-help-melt-it-away
- https://www.clinicalpainadvisor.com/home/conference-highlights/painweek-2017/virtual-reality-for-pain-management-a-weapon-against-the-opioid-epidemic/
- https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/opioids/understanding-opioid-epidemic-s-economic-toll
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