Probably not. Despite a recent episode of "Black Mirror," which sent a programmer into virtual limbo, killing him, VR's dangers today are a fairly well-known cadre of physical mishaps and nausea. Hitting an object, stumbling or falling remain the most likely way someone can get harmed while encased in VR device.
The most obvious risk involves injuries caused by blundering into real objects while immersed in VR. But there's growing concern about more subtle health effects. Many people report headaches, eye strain, dizziness and nausea after using the headsets.
These tips may help you feel better when you have motion sickness:
- Eat a few dry soda crackers.
- Sip on clear, fizzy drinks such as ginger ale.
- Get some fresh air.
- Lie down, or at least keep your head still.
Dramamine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Dramamine is used to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness. Dramamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
"With contemporary commercially available VR systems, the incidence of motion sickness after only 15 minutes is anywhere from 40 to 70 percent," said Thomas Stoffregen, a kinesiologist at the University of Minnesota. For some applications nearly 100% of users get sick, he said.
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There is no scientific evidence that Virtual Reality can provoke constant brain damage. There are only some symptoms such as dizziness, depression, and collapse that appear while the VR experience. The technology is still new and requires investigation and research.
Some people (about 1 in 4000) may have severe dizziness, seizures, eye or muscle twitching or blackouts triggered by light flashes or patterns, and this may occur while they are watching TV, playing video games or experiencing virtual reality, even if they have never had a seizure or blackout before or have no history
Motion sickness is a very common disturbance of the inner ear. It is caused by repeated motion from a vehicle or any other movements that disturb the inner ear. Some people experience nausea and even vomiting when riding in an airplane, automobile, or amusement park ride.
Motion sickness (MS)has been inconclusively associated with personality and physical vestibular functioning in both males and females.
You get motion sickness when there are conflicts among your senses. Say you're on a ride at the fair, and it's spinning you around and upside down. Your eyes see one thing, your muscles feel another, and your inner ears sense something else. Your brain can't take in all those mixed signals.
Sopite syndrome, which is a constellation of symptoms that involves apathy, depression, disinclination for work, and decreased participation in group activities, can occur. These and other neurophysiologic symptoms such as maliase, lethargy and agitation can persist for some time after the motion stimuli has ended.
The first is antihistamines, both prescription and over-the-counter. These are the most commonly used medications for motion sickness, and they're available in any drug store and in many supermarkets. Cyclizine (Marezine) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) are two major ones.
Can motion sickness be prevented or avoided?
- Take motion sickness medicine one to two hours before traveling.
- Choose the right seat.
- Get plenty of air.
- Avoid things you can't change.
- Don't read while riding in a car, plane or boat.
- Lie down when you feel sick.
- Avoid a heavy meal before or during travel.
Symptoms of motion sickness include dizziness, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms can strike suddenly, progressing from simply not feeling well to cold sweats, dizziness, and then vomiting. Motion sickness is more common in women and in children 2-12 years old.
Nei Guan (P6 or PC6) is commonly used to help relieve nausea, upset stomach, motion sickness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches. Nei Guan (P6) is located three finger breadths below the wrist on the inner forearm in between the two tendons.
