Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Antisocial personality disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent patterns of disregard for the rights and well-being of others. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder exhibit behaviors that include deceitfulness, impulsivity, irresponsibility, aggression, and a profound lack of empathy. These traits often manifest early in life and persist into adulthood, leading to significant personal, social, and legal consequences.
Behavioral Characteristics and...

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulse control. This instability manifests in extreme emotional reactions, fear of abandonment, and self-destructive behaviors. The disorder significantly impacts daily functioning, often leading to distress in both personal and professional domains.
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...

Personality Disorders: Paranoid and Schizoid

Personality Disorders: Paranoid and Schizoid

Personality disorders represent enduring cognition, affect, and behavior patterns that significantly deviate from societal norms. These maladaptive traits often lead to difficulties in various domains, including interpersonal relationships, occupational settings, and overall psychological well-being. Paranoid personality disorder and schizoid personality disorder are two distinct conditions marked by odd or eccentric behavior.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid personality disorder is...

Personality Disorders: Schizotypal and Histrionic

Personality Disorders: Schizotypal and Histrionic

Schizotypal personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder are two distinct psychological conditions classified under personality disorders, each characterized by unique behavioral patterns and social difficulties. Both disorders significantly affect interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being, leading to social isolation and frustration.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Eccentric Behavior and Social Withdrawal
Schizotypal personality disorder is marked by odd or eccentric...

Introspection

Introspection

Introspection, long upheld as a reliable route to self-knowledge, involves examining one's thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. It underpins many psychological practices, from mindfulness meditation to psychotherapy and self-help strategies. However, empirical evidence challenges the accuracy of introspection as a means of understanding oneself.Limitations of Introspective InsightSeminal work by Nisbett and Wilson demonstrated that individuals are frequently unaware of the true causes...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

From mummies to internal mammaries: A historical perspective on the discovery of atherosclerosis.

Vascular biology (Bristol, England)·2026

Same author

Association Between Sensation Seeking and Fear Response: Interventional Study of Personality and Behavior Using a Virtual Reality Heights Simulation.

JMIR XR and spatial computing·2026

Same author

Personalized Virtual Reality Future Selves Elicit Introspective Brain Activation in Early Substance Use Disorder Recovery.

Substance abuse and rehabilitation·2026

Same author

Craniofacial CBCT: Addressing volume-resolution dilemma using generative artificial intelligence.

Bone·2026

Same author

Histologic and Morphometric Comparison of Drusen Associated With Chronic Retinal Detachment and Aging-Associated Drusen.

Translational vision science & technology·2026

Same author

Atherosclerosis in ancient mummified humans: the global HORUS study.

European heart journal·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

The use of Biofeedback in Clinical Virtual Reality: The INTREPID Project

The use of Biofeedback in Clinical Virtual Reality: The INTREPID Project

Published on: November 12, 2009

Personalized Virtual Reality Future Selves Elicit Introspective Brain Activation in Early Substance Use Disorder

Brandon G Oberlin^1,2,3,4, Mario Dzemidzic^2,5, Yitong I Shen^1,3

¹Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine.

Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences

|February 6, 2026

Summary

Virtual reality future self-avatars for substance use disorder (SUD) recovery engage self-reflection brain networks. This immersive digital therapy promotes valuing long-term rewards and persistence, offering new hope for lasting behavior change.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Neurorehabilitation Through EEG, Motor Imagery, and Virtual Reality

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Neurorehabilitation Through EEG, Motor Imagery, and Virtual Reality

Published on: May 10, 2024

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills

Published on: April 23, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 7, 2026

The use of Biofeedback in Clinical Virtual Reality: The INTREPID Project

The use of Biofeedback in Clinical Virtual Reality: The INTREPID Project

Published on: November 12, 2009

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Neurorehabilitation Through EEG, Motor Imagery, and Virtual Reality

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Neurorehabilitation Through EEG, Motor Imagery, and Virtual Reality

Published on: May 10, 2024

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills

Published on: April 23, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychology
Digital Therapeutics

Background:

Substance use disorder (SUD) recovery faces high relapse rates (>50% in the first year).
Personalized future self-avatars in virtual reality (VR) have previously shown promise in reducing cravings and increasing connection to future rewards.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate brain engagement using fMRI during a VR experience with personalized future self-avatars in individuals with SUD.
To identify neural correlates of positive behavioral changes, such as delayed reward preference and perseverance.

Main Methods:

Twenty adults in early SUD recovery (<1 year) interacted with personalized VR future selves (SUD Future Self vs. Recovery Future Self).
fMRI scans were conducted immediately after the VR experience while participants viewed and contemplated their future selves.
Brain activation patterns were analyzed in relation to behavioral outcomes like delayed reward preference and trait perseverance.

Main Results:

Viewing future selves activated midline default mode regions (self-reflection) and visual/face processing areas.
The Recovery Future Self specifically increased activation in the left occipital face area compared to the SUD Future Self.
Midline default mode activation correlated with increased delayed reward preference and greater trait perseverance.

Conclusions:

Lifelike digital future selves in VR can therapeutically engage brain systems supporting future-oriented thinking, persistence, and valuing long-term outcomes.
This novel approach using immersive digital therapeutics opens new frontiers for behavior change interventions in SUD recovery.
Findings suggest future research should evaluate midline default mode engagement for interventions targeting decision-making and behavior change in mental health.