Can mindfulness in virtual reality modify food cravings?
Sophie Hascher, Anoushka Parylo, Mike Kendig, Poppy Watson, Ori Ossmy, Halley Pontes
PsyArXiv June 13, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/tsxav_v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 56 |
| Population | Adults from the United Kingdom and Australia |
| Duration | Single 10-minute intervention |
| Measures | Food rating picture task, Food Cravings Questionnaire-State, state mindfulness measures |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A single 10-minute mindfulness intervention significantly reduced food cravings and increased state mindfulness in both the VR and computer-screen groups, with no significant difference between conditions. The authors suggest the mindfulness practice and nature-based context, rather than VR immersion itself, drove the effects, and that brief mindfulness may modulate craving states via enhanced interoceptive awareness and emotion regulation. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based treatments have demonstrated efficacy in reducing addictive behaviours, including food addiction. Yet, accessibility to in-person programmes remains a barrier, with limited capacity issues and accessibility for individuals suffering from mobility impairment. Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising platform to deliver mindfulness interventions in immersive nature-like environments. This study investigated the immediate effects of a single 10-minute mindfulness intervention on food cravings in adults (N = 56) from the United Kingdom and Australia, comparing a VR group with a control group viewing the same nature-like scene on a computer screen. Cravings were assessed using a food rating picture task, and the Food Cravings Questionnaire-State, alongside state mindfulness measures. A series of mixed ANOVAs indicated that the mindfulness intervention significantly reduced food cravings and increased mindfulness scores across both groups, with no significant differences observed between VR and control conditions. Results suggest that the mindfulness practice and nature-based context, rather than the immersive VR technology itself, drove effects. Additional sub-analyses comparing food images showed significant reductions in cravings over time for both healthy and unhealthy foods. Self-reported immersion scores did not moderate changes in food cravings, regardless of VR condition. Finally, self-reported sugar addiction scores were positively associated with sweet food cravings at baseline, but not with changes in craving following the mindfulness intervention. Taken together, these findings highlight that a brief mindfulness intervention can modulate craving states, potentially via enhanced interoceptive awareness and emotion regulation.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |