Virtual Reality (VR) is a stimulated, computer-generated experience that is similar to or completely different from the real world. It's a technology that immerses the user in a three-dimension environment, making them feel as if they're physically present in that space. The concept of metaverse comes from this, a technology where people can own properties in the digital space, and live as though it's the physical world. This looks like a great development in the web3 era where technology is advancing rapidly. While people celebrate this change, little consideration is placed on the impact of this technology and its future implications.
The core principles of virtual Reality is to override your senses with computer-generated stimuli, trickling the brain into perceiving the virtual world as real. This technology has a direct influence on one's brain, causing fear of its future effect. When the hardware is fixed, it interacts with your brain and makes it see what is not real as real, and the sensors make you feel the computer-generated environment as if your whole being is attached to the environment in view. If one's senses can be controlled through manipulation, then the brain can as well store certain images and information as real.
Image generated using Gemini AI
In the future, prolonged use of virtual reality sets may be harmful to one's health. The brain may familiarize itself with the virtual world making the real-world seem like a caricature of that which has become its new normal. It may cause hallucination and other mental complications that concern perceiving objects. If virtual Reality can be used to trick the brain, then there's a high possibility that it can be used to create harmful and manipulative experiences. All one would need to manipulate the user is to create an experience he wants the user to immerse himself into. Gradually, the user's brain registers these manipulative or harmful experiences and it becomes an idea.
While VR might become a technology with incredible benefits, its future harm may become a thing of concern. If one's brain can be tricked, then one's brain can be manipulated to extract certain information, or harmed to have certain experiences. With regular use, its effect on health may unfold gradually. To every benefit of technology, there are consequences.