A person in the metaverse can decide who and where they want to live. They can also choose what clothes they like and what hobbies they have. In the metaverse, they can be the best version of themselves and live as they please – something that is perhaps unachievable in reality.

It’s no news that social media can be a threat to our psychological health. But what about the metaverse? A whole new world that can be created in virtual reality through the use of a personal avatar?

DailyCoin interviewed Peter Klein (cognitive behavioral psychotherapist) about his views on the effect of the metaverse upon mental health.

Connection is a Human Need

Klein claimed that modern society is dependent on many forms of communication. There are many types of connections that can exist, so the quality and type of these relationships will vary greatly. Research shows that the best form of communication is in person and has the greatest benefits for mental health.

It is difficult to establish a face-to-face relationship with people on other sides of the globe due to modern society’s uniformity and globalization. However, this makes it easier for them to get to know each other.

“The Metaverse can act as a bridge that facilitates a more personal experience without having to travel. The pandemic and increased decentralised nature of society has provided suitable priming for people to be able to engage with the metaverse,”
Klein remarked.

The Metaverse can be helpful in certain instances

Klein explained how virtual reality is beneficial to many mental disorders. People with social anxiety often think they are being judged by others in social situations. These people believe they make a bad impression and are too focused on how their appearance is perceived. Extreme cases can cause people to become hyper-focused on what they do and how they look.

It is possible to connect with people via virtual reality without fear of their presence. Virtual reality can allow sufferers to feel some connection and provide a safe place for them to express their fears. People with simple fears, such as fear of spiders or arachnophobia, often feel more comfortable confronting their fears online than in person.

Virtual Reality: The Dangers

The metaverse may offer benefits for those with mental disorders, but it could also cause them to get worse. People who are too afraid to travel may become dependent on virtual friends. It can make it more difficult to communicate with the outside world if this happens.

Studies have repeatedly shown that social contact is essential for brain health and helps to reduce stress. Klein suggests that living in the metaverse is extremely dangerous if there aren’t other options.

As part of living a healthy life, there will be some pain. People avoid simple frustrations, such as waiting to catch a bus and scrolling through social media. People can find it hard to bear the simple pain of not being able to pay attention for more than a few seconds because frustration is so strongly connected to avoidance. If the escape option is so immersive and appealing, this can cause great harm to society.

“I believe the metaverse can confer huge benefits. You can connect with people in a convenient and easy way. It will however never provide the innumerable benefits of in person connection and is a risky affair for many,”
Klein concluded.

Flipside

• For people with social interaction difficulties, the metaverse may be an oasis of safety. It can also cause severe disconnection from reality or delusion.
• Although metaverses are in the early stages, their impact on psychological health and well-being is still unknown.