Virtual Reality Near-Death Simulations Show Promise in Reducing Fear of Death, Say Texas A&M Researchers
Researchers at Texas A&M University have explored an unusual but fascinating question: can a short virtual reality (VR) experience change how people feel about death? According to a newly published pilot study, the answer may be yes. The research suggests that a carefully designed VR simulation inspired by near-death experiences can significantly reduce death-related anxiety and stress, even after just one brief session.
The study, published in Frontiers in Virtual Reality, examined how immersive technology could be used as a psychological intervention. After a single 12-minute VR session, participants reported a dramatic reduction in their fear of death, along with lower stress levels. While the research is still in its early stages, the findings open up intriguing possibilities for mental health care, particularly in the growing field of tele-behavioral health.
Understanding Death Anxiety and Why It Matters
Death anxiety refers to the distress or fear people experience when thinking about death or dying. Psychologists have long recognized it as a common and deeply human concern, but it can become problematic when it interferes with daily life. Research has linked death anxiety to conditions such as depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, illness anxiety, and certain phobias.
Interestingly, death anxiety does not affect everyone equally throughout life. Studies show it often peaks in early adulthood, declines during midlife, and then rises again among people over the age of 65. It is also especially common among individuals facing serious or terminal illnesses, including cancer. Because of its wide-ranging psychological impact, researchers are increasingly interested in finding new ways to address death anxiety beyond traditional talk therapy.
The Idea Behind Using Virtual Reality
The Texas A&M research team, led by Dr. Zhipeng Lu, an assistant professor in the College of Architecture, drew inspiration from decades of reports about near-death experiences. People who survive life-threatening events often describe powerful psychological shifts afterward, including a reduced fear of death, greater appreciation for life, and improved relationships.
Rather than focusing on whether near-death experiences are medically or spiritually “real,” the researchers were interested in their therapeutic effects. If these experiences can change how people think and feel about death, could a simulated version offer similar benefits without the danger?
Virtual reality provided a unique solution. VR is already used in psychology for exposure therapy, pain management, and stress reduction. Its immersive nature allows users to experience emotionally intense scenarios in a controlled environment, making it a promising tool for addressing sensitive topics like mortality.
How the VR Near-Death Simulation Worked
The pilot study involved approximately 60 young adults, most of whom were students from Texas A&M’s College of Architecture. Before participating, students completed standardized surveys measuring their levels of death anxiety and stress.
Each participant then wore a VR headset and entered a simulation designed around commonly reported elements of near-death experiences. The experience unfolded in three distinct stages:
- Out-of-body experience: Participants began by observing their physical body from above, following a simulated car accident. This phase aimed to recreate the sensation of separation from the body often described in near-death accounts.
- Journey through light: Next, participants moved through a tunnel or channel of light while experiencing symbolic memory flashbacks, another frequently reported feature of near-death experiences.
- Peaceful landscape: Finally, they arrived in a calm, scenic environment featuring a boundary or barrier they could not cross, representing a point of no return.
The entire experience lasted about 12 minutes. Afterward, participants completed the same surveys they had filled out before the session, allowing researchers to compare changes in emotional responses.
Key Findings From the Pilot Study
The results were striking. On average, participants reported a 75% reduction in fear of death after just one VR session. Stress levels also dropped significantly. Many participants described feeling calmer, more reflective, and more appreciative of their relationships and life priorities.
While most responses were positive, the researchers were careful to note that not everyone benefited equally. A small number of participants reported increased stress or death anxiety following the experience. This highlights the importance of careful screening and professional oversight when using emotionally intense VR interventions.
The study also tested variations of the experience, including narrated and non-narrated versions, but found no major differences in outcomes between them.
Why This Matters for Mental Health Care
One of the most promising aspects of this research is its potential application in remote mental health services. Dr. Lu and his team suggest that VR could become a valuable tool in tele-behavioral health, where therapists support patients through digital platforms rather than in-person visits.
Because VR experiences can be delivered remotely and standardized, they may help expand access to mental health support, particularly for people who struggle to attend traditional therapy sessions. The researchers believe this approach could eventually complement existing treatments for anxiety and depression, rather than replace them.
Important Limitations and Caution
Despite the encouraging results, the researchers stress that this was a small pilot study, not a large clinical trial. The participants were young, relatively healthy adults, and the findings may not apply to older individuals or those with severe mental health conditions.
The team is especially cautious about applying this intervention to vulnerable populations, such as terminally ill patients or individuals with severe anxiety disorders. While the experience may reduce fear for some, it could potentially intensify distress for others. Future research will need to carefully examine risks, long-term effects, and ethical considerations.
The Growing Role of VR in Psychology
This study adds to a growing body of research showing how VR can influence emotional and cognitive processes. Beyond death anxiety, VR is being explored for treating post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, chronic pain, and social anxiety. Its ability to create realistic yet controlled experiences makes it a powerful tool for psychological research and therapy.
As VR technology becomes more affordable and widespread, its role in mental health care is likely to expand. Studies like this one help clarify where VR can be helpful and where caution is needed.
What Comes Next
The Texas A&M research team plans to continue studying VR-based interventions, with the goal of refining the experience and testing it with broader and more diverse groups. Larger studies will be needed to confirm the findings and understand how long the anxiety-reducing effects last.
For now, the study offers an intriguing glimpse into how technology might help people confront one of humanity’s oldest fears. While virtual reality cannot answer life’s biggest questions, it may help people feel a little more at peace with them.
Research paper:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2025.1644131/full
