Is VR a deviation from the book

Use this forum to discuss the August 2020 Book of the month, " Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide" by Gustavo Kinrys, MD.
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Howlan
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Re: Is VR a deviation from the book

Post by Howlan »

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote:
> rahilshajahan wrote:
> > Dominik_G wrote:
> > > I understand why you propose this question. However, I believe the authors
> > > use "natural" as in "non-medical", and so Virtual
> > > Reality has a right to make their list of possible remedies, in my opinion.
> >
> > I can't agree with you more. The author didn't mean to say VR technology is
> natural,
> > but rather a non-medical means of remedy.
>
> I feel hopeful that VR will revolutionize the struggle people go through with
> anxiety. If it can be used to replace medication, then I would advocate for it.

I do not think that VR can replace medication, as stress has some chemical effects on our body and certain medication can be used to lower down the hormones. But it has a revolutionary role to play for calming the nerves and concentration.
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Howlan
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Post by Howlan »

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote:
> cookiedough wrote:
> > I see your point but VR isn't the same as medication. The author suggest
> > natural remedies and VR is a man-made solution that could help those with
> > phobias. It's also fun to interact with VR in general. I was able to go to
> > space and dive deep into the ocean with it, which I found to be an
> > adventure.
>
> Even though VR is manmade, I believe it can be categorized as a natural remedy
> because it can be used in place of medication.

It is debatable whether VR can be considered as a natural remedy or not. It cannot replace medication anytime soon. On the other hand natural remedy also cannot replace medication. Medication is complementary to any Natural remedy.
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Howlan
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Post by Howlan »

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote:
> Astrolorraine wrote:
> > That's a good point! I guess it depends on how you define natural. In a
> > technology vs nature view, VR is not natural. If you think of it as
> > physical experience vs chemical treatment (pills etc), then VR can be
> > considered natural.
>
> You distinguished the two harmoniously. Since VR is a human invention, it can be
> confusing to think of it differently. But Kinrys explains what natural remedies are
> and hence makes it easier for the reader to make clear judgments.

I think VR is definitely a great way to reduce anxiety but it is not natural, as as it is dependant on technology and also because I think it has some side effects like a strain on the sensory organs and while some natural remedies have side effects VR outweighs them if used frequently and without supervision.
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Howlan
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Post by Howlan »

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote:
> Howlan wrote:
> > Star_and_Buck wrote:
> > > VR is not a remedy or a solution to anyone's problems but is an escape. For
> > > anyone suffering through anxiety it is an imagionary world where he or she
> > > dreams just where he wants to be or whag he likes to be disrrgarding the
> > > current situations.
> >
> > Yes, and that temporary reprive is what helps us cam our mind and get back our
> > concentration. Similar to a timeout in a busy match to bring back the momentum,
> > sometimes an escape is required to bring us back on our feet.
>
> I've experienced moments of stress and a bit of anxiety, disconnecting for a while
> helps to minimize the levels. VR games have been my runaway choice sometimes. It
> doesn't fix the problem right away, but it helps to keep my mind occupied.

Any game does that for you not only VR games. If a properly built game is interesting enough to hook you into it, it will definitely occupy your mind.
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Post by lwahls2 »

To your point, virtual reality is definitely not a "natural remedy" so at the surface it's definitely contrary to the core message of the book.
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Post by anaplasticCerebrum »

Yeah, virtual reality would count as a natural practice according to the authors definitions, but I'm hesitant to endorse it. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but the idea of virtual reality and the invasion of technology everywhere makes me anxious. It must work for other people, but I want to solve my issues without such intervention.
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Post by Joseph_ngaruiya »

One aspect we might overlook is the relaxation that comes with VR. It's not a deviation. When you immerse yourself in a different environment, it gives the same or better results as those of a natural remedy.
A relaxed mind is likely to have minimal stress and anxiety levels.
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Post by SeasonalBuddy »

VR falls under natural remedies, cause it is a technique falling outside medical intervention. Exactly what the book advocates
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Post by Howlan »

anaplasticCerebrum wrote:
> Yeah, virtual reality would count as a natural practice according to the
> authors definitions, but I'm hesitant to endorse it. Maybe I'm just
> paranoid, but the idea of virtual reality and the invasion of technology
> everywhere makes me anxious. It must work for other people, but I want to
> solve my issues without such intervention.

It is perfectly fine to be wary of virtual reality. If not careful it can cause strain in our sensory organs. In relieving stress you must try what are comfortable with. Any remedy, if you are not comfortable using will have no effect in reducing stress, rather it will increase it.
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Post by Howlan »

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote:
> One aspect we might overlook is the relaxation that comes with VR. It's not
> a deviation. When you immerse yourself in a different environment, it gives
> the same or better results as those of a natural remedy.
> A relaxed mind is likely to have minimal stress and anxiety levels.

I think VR can definitely not provide the same results as a natural remedy. As VR can have serious side-effects compared to Virtual Reality. Also, VR needs proper regulation and professional guidance while most natural remedies can be done without one.
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Post by Joseph_ngaruiya »

SeasonalBuddy wrote:
> VR falls under natural remedies, cause it is a technique falling outside
> medical intervention. Exactly what the book advocates

You captured the right concept. The book advocates effective natural remedies, VR is a heightened version of the levels our imagination of natural can get.
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Post by jaimemiller »

I don't think the use of virtual reality is "contradictory" at all. As long as the remedy does not require ingesting pharmaceutical drugs, you can call a substance a natural remedy.
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Post by EvaDar »

I do think VR therapy is considered a natural intervention. Anything that is not a medication or other therapy promoted by Western medicine can be considered natural. I also agree with other posters that VR therapy can cause other problems. I think it would be most effective used with the knowledge and supervision of a mental health practitioner. I think the book recommends that.

I do see how it can work to allow a person to "practice" things that carry anxiety in an artificial reality as a way of titrating the intensity of the anxiety prior to trying the behavior in a real situation. Apparently VR therapy is being used quite a bit now. Great discussion.
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Post by Howlan »

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote: 16 Aug 2020, 15:39 SeasonalBuddy wrote:
> VR falls under natural remedies, cause it is a technique falling outside
> medical intervention. Exactly what the book advocates

You captured the right concept. The book advocates effective natural remedies, VR is a heightened version of the levels our imagination of natural can get.
Yes, VR is not natural in hindsight as it is dependant on technology. It may seem as natural t others as it has less side-effects if applied properly and because it does not have any hormonal imbalances.
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Post by Howlan »

jaimemiller wrote: 17 Aug 2020, 03:16 I don't think the use of virtual reality is "contradictory" at all. As long as the remedy does not require ingesting pharmaceutical drugs, you can call a substance a natural remedy.
Yes, but there is a reason why it is not mentioned in the Natural Remedy Section. And that is because, or it cannot be effectively used in the absence of a professional, and also frequent heavy use of VR can cause a strain on the sensory organs.
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