Virtual Empathy
There’s evidence that virtual simulations, even imperfect, polygonal ones, can trigger immune responses in users who are exposed to obviously sick avatars.
The parts of their brains and bodies that activate when there are signs of a potential infectious agent nearby are triggered by the presence of a fake sick person, and this raises the possibility that we might use virtual reality simulations to prime our immune systems when there’s a bad cold or flu going around, which could grant us a small protective boost before we step into a contagious social situation.
Other recent research suggests that these sorts of virtual reality simulations might also be valuable as empathy boosters.
A study from October of 2025 had male subjects embody a female avatar in a virtual reality simulation. While in this simulation, they experienced street harassment, like catcalls and leering, firsthand—directed at them.
