https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran A Case for VR over Opioids en-us 2021-05-12 17:49:21 UTC 2025-07-22 01:41:31 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/1191532114/6f4f766208d6321e4d2ae9235db90bbb/depositphotos_332046502_stock_photo_head_antique_statue_virtual_reality.jpg dduran868 https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518721029 This Article explains how VR is capable of tricking the brain into feeling less pain, and how it can also be applied to also treat other ailments. I am impressed that VR can be used for so many different treatments. Dr.Mark Young says in the article “Virtual Reality is an excellent approach to pain management. It captures the mind’s attention and blocks pain signals from reaching the brain." This makes sense, as other evidence suggests that pain is a very complex sensation perceived by the brain. It is also subjective amongst different individuals. ]]> 2021-05-12 18:24:34 UTC https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518721029 dduran868 https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518762929 This essay poses the question: Is VR a more effective form of pain management than opioids? It explains how the brain processes pain and how it can be manipulated to not recognize pain through the application of these methods. I was very satisfied with the answers I discovered on my journey. The essay became more personal as I revised it for my second draft. The new questions that I ended the essay with "Can long term VR use have negative effects, and can the human brain build a tolerance to VR pain treatment, or even become addicted?" are questions that I plan on seeking the answers to even after this class wraps up]]> 2021-05-12 18:34:56 UTC https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518762929 dduran868 https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518806454 This Article talks about a study which was completed by Cedar-Sinai Hospital. They found that VR was more effective than guided meditation in managing pain. I think it is fantastic that VR is becoming used in a medical environment as it can become a very accessible form of treatment. The article says "Several patients have found VR so helpful in managing pain that they are now using it regularly at home" As the technology becomes more available. VR may be the future of pain management. ]]> 2021-05-12 18:46:22 UTC https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518806454 dduran868 https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518807252 This article details a study where brain activity was monitored amongst subjects whom were given opioids and exposed to pain, and subjects whom were placed in VR an exposed to pain. It found that the VR group had the greatest reduction in pain. I was thoroughly impressed by the outcome of this study because it brought me to a clear answer that VR is more effective than opioids. One part I found particularly interesting was when two participants reported a paradoxical increase in subjective pain unpleasantness and worst pain intensity ratings during the opioid condition (no VR)" This shows that the use of opioids alone brought a negative result while VR did not. ]]> 2021-05-12 18:46:34 UTC https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518807252 dduran868 https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518808390 This article describes the different ways VR is being applied to relieve patients of pain. This was the article that sparked my interest in the capabilities of VR being able to manipulate the brain to not feel pain. In the article Dr. Jeffrey Gold says “It’s not just a distraction — it’s like an endogenous narcotic providing a physiological and chemical burst that causes you to feel good,” This means that VR could have the capability of being more effective or as effective as opioids]]> 2021-05-12 18:46:53 UTC https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518808390 dduran868 https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518837258 In this book, David Eagleman breaks down the mystery behind the functions of the human brain, and many new questions that are still unanswered. One part that related to my central question was when Eagleman describes how the brain can be manipulated to believe false memories and "embrace and embellish them". I believe that this is similar to the application of VR, as it is used as a tool to "fool" the brain to our benefit. ]]> 2021-05-12 18:54:37 UTC https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518837258 dduran868 https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518841982 2021-05-12 18:55:51 UTC https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518841982 dduran868 https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518885557 In this article, a study was done to determine the difference in brain development in opioid users who suffer from CLBP. It was shown that there are many changes that occur in the brain even before addiction can be identified. I was shocked by the findings in this article because the size of the brain can be altered by opioids. In the article it says "CLBP patients medicated with opioid analgesics are at an increased risk for developing long-term misuse, dependence, or addiction." This is the reason I am searching for an alternative in VR. From what we know as of now, there is no risk for addiction or misuse with VR.]]> 2021-05-12 19:08:01 UTC https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1518885557 dduran868 https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1519117001 For my special experience, I reached out to a woman on Twitter who was experimenting with VR therapy for her Chronic Pain resulting from cancer treatment. She advised "VR therapy does help" she suggested that more full sense immersion with 3D HD video and audio is more effective in her experience. She also advised that Pre-Covid, Chemo centers offered them for patients, but now she has resorted to purchasing her own unit. ]]> 2021-05-12 20:24:02 UTC https://padlet.com/dduran868/FA20Essay4Duran/wish/1519117001