By 
September 3rd, 2020
Courtesy: Goonhilly Earth Station
The term and concept of the “Overview Effect” were coined in 1987 by writer Frank White. He explored the theme in his seminal 1987 book The Overview Effect — Space Exploration and Human Evolution, describing it as the cognitive shift in awareness that results from the experience of viewing Earth from orbit or the Moon.
That said, how about tapping the inner workings of the Overview Effect to calm down and meditate here on Earth, through virtual reality?
Enter VR Overview Effect therapy.
Credit: NASA
Biofeedback
The VROE organization, based in London, England, is recreating aspects of the Overview Effect using VR, workshops, guided meditation and biofeedback to enhance a person’s wellbeing.
The intent is to bring the cognitive shift experienced by astronauts when Earth gazing to a wider audience.
During his nearly one-year space mission, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly took a selfie with the Bahamas from 250 miles above Earth aboard the International Space Station.
Credit: Scott Kelly/NASA
Therapeutic value
According to their website, VROE is a professional psychological service trained in various modalities and fields, offering a range of therapeutic virtual-reality (VR) interventions and workshops “centered around the Overview Effect to corporations, prisons, private hospitals/clinics, National Health Service (NHS) schools and charities.”
Annahita Nezami is the founder of VR-Overview-Effect, a counseling psychologist working in mental health.
Apollo 8 astronauts in late December 1968 viewed the Earth as a vibrant, delicate, blue and white globe framed by the velvety blackness of space.
Credit: NASA
Taking part in the Explore Mars virtual meeting this week, Nezami commented: “There are currently many alternative approaches to mental health treatment in clinical trials, psychedelics and VR included. We are excited too…but we need to get trials under way. The final pilot will be much more advanced and the actual programs will include biofeedback.”
The group is currently developing their first VR Overview Effect project with an early version to be available towards the end of 2020.
So if you’re a Covid shut-in, perhaps consider this off-planet experience in the comfort of your lock-down domicile.
For more information on VROE, go to:
Posted in Space News
