Olfactory Virtual Reality: A New Frontier in the Treatment and Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

This perspective piece reviews the clinical condition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is currently increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent research illustrating how olfaction is being incorporated into virtual reality (VR) platforms. I then discuss the latest work examining the potential of olfactory virtual reality (OVR) for the treatment of PTSD. From this foundation I suggest novel ways in which OVR may be implemented in PTSD therapy and harnessed for preventing the development of PTSD. Perceptual and chemical features of olfaction that should be considered in OVR applications are also discussed.

Automated summary

This perspective piece reviews the increasing clinical condition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent research on incorporating olfaction into virtual reality platforms. It then discusses the potential of olfactory virtual reality (OVR) for treating PTSD, suggesting novel ways of implementation and prevention. The article also considers perceptual and chemical features of olfaction that should be taken into account in OVR applications.