Virtual reality (VR) is no longer futuristic fantasy: it’s a growing market across many industries, from gaming to education. In healthcare, doctors, nurses and therapists are immersing patients in computer-generated, interactive environments. And while it's no silver bullet, VR is proving to be powerful medicine. Studies show it can improve health outcomes in many situations, whether in labor and delivery, managing chronic pain, or for treating conditions like depression and anxiety.  
On today’s Brainstorm, Michal Lev-Ram and Brian O’Keefe explore how VR works is being used by doctors and therapists, and its limitations. 
Dr. Brennan Spiegel, Director of Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles and the author of "VRx: How Virtual Therapeutics Will Revolutionize Medicine" explains VR gives patients an alternative to traditional pain medication.  
Xavier Palomer is CEO of Psious, a company that designs VR applications for mental health treatment. He explains how the technology helps patients overcome phobias.
Also in this episode, Tom Norris, a medically retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, explains his decades-long struggles with chronic pain and how VR has enabled him to better manage it.  
 
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