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Immersive Virtual Reality Gameplay Alters Embodiment, Time Perception, and States of Consciousness

Nicola De Pisapia, Andrea Polo, Andrea Signorelli

Virtual Worlds June 25, 2026 DOI: 10.3390/virtualworlds5020016 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Experimental study Peer reviewed
Sample size 72
Population Participants
Intervention Virtual reality
Duration 35 min gameplay
Topics Altered states of consciousness
Keywords Virtual reality Immersion Presence Executive functions Time perception
Key findings Immersive virtual reality gameplay selectively alters embodiment-related aspects of conscious experience and retrospective time perception, without broadly changing executive function.

Abstract

Immersive virtual environments are increasingly investigated as tools capable of modulating conscious experience, yet the specific contribution of graded immersion to altered states of consciousness (ASC), time perception, and cognition remains unclear. The present study examined how different levels of immersion during videogame play influence subjective experience and post-experience cognitive performance. Seventy-two participants played an identical 35 min segment of the videogame Half-Life: Alyx under one of three conditions: desktop PC (low immersion), head-mounted virtual reality (VR; medium immersion), or VR combined with full-body locomotion via an omnidirectional treadmill (high immersion). Following gameplay, participants completed validated measures of presence (IPQ), immersion (IEQ), ASC (5D-ASC), retrospective time estimation, and cognitive flexibility (Stroop task and Alternative Uses Test). Presence was selectively enhanced in VR relative to desktop play, whereas immersion was highest in the VR plus treadmill condition. Specific ASC dimensions related to embodiment and self-experience were selectively elevated in immersive conditions, with the most robust effects observed for disembodiment and positive depersonalization. Retrospective time-estimation accuracy was reduced in the highest immersion condition, indicating increased temporal distortion. Immersive gameplay did not produce widespread changes in executive function. Overall, the findings indicate that immersive virtual reality gameplay selectively alters embodiment-related aspects of conscious experience and retrospective time perception, without broadly changing executive function.

Comparable studies

Other experimental studies on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The Standardized Psychometric Assessment of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) in Humans Healthy subjects in six countries 1998 Experimental and field study n = 1,133
TMS-EEG and resting-state EEG applied to altered states of consciousness: oscillations, complexity, and phenomenology. 2023 Experimental study
A Test of the Psychedelic Model of Altered States of Consciousness 1976 Experimental study with comparison groups
Neural Correlates of Non-ordinary States of Consciousness in Pranayama Practitioners: The Role of Slow Nasal Breathing Experienced meditators 2022 Within-subjects comparison n = 12
Increased spontaneous EEG signal diversity during stroboscopically-induced altered states of consciousness Healthy adults 2019 Experimental study

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