Manuscript received 19 August 2026

Accepted 19 August 2026

Available online 01 September 2026

J Diagn Treat Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2026;9: 100324

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23999/j.dtomp.2026.9.100324

Under a Creative Commons license

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Kupka ‘T’T. Virtual reality hypnosis during medical procedures – state-of-the-art and future trends. J Diagn Treat Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2026;10(9):100324.

 

KEY WORDS

Virtual reality, hypnosis, medicine, procedure

 

 

To the Editor in Chief,

 

The true beginnings of modern medical hypnosis date back to the second half of the 18th century and the work of Franz Mesmer, which led to the introduction of the term “hypnotism” by James Braid in 1841 [1].

 

The analgesic effect of hypnosis has a solid foundation in scientific evidence [2], as does the reduction of stress and fear during invasive treatments, both of which have been well-documented for at least half a century [3].

 

Virtual Reality (VR) - a simulated experience employing a 3D, 360° near-eye Head-Mounted Display (HMD) - has been successfully tested for analgesic and sedative purposes [4-6].

 

Combining VR technology with hypnosis may offer a solution for developing more standardized and accessible algorithms for intraoperative pain and fear management. Much like a syringe delivering an anesthetic or analgesic, an HMD can deliver a visual projection (including electromagnetic waves, sound waves, and odor plumes) to administer a hypnotic dose for brainwave modulation during medical procedures. Beyond the patient's individual hypnotic predisposition and the quality of the HMD hardware, the specific nature of the visual projection is critical to the effectiveness of the hypnosis. Standard animations, cartoons, or nature views - while potentially relaxing - are insufficient to induce true hypnosis. During invasive procedures, including dental ones, patient immobility is mandatory; therefore, interactive games and hand controllers are prohibited. Consequently, headphones with active noise reduction are indispensable for achieving fully immersive 3D VR.

 

Future multidisciplinary research may focus on the synthesis of specific movies/sequences of repeating, accelerating image–sound–smell streams for genuine hypnotic induction, projected via monolithic mini-HMD sets comprising visual glasses, audio headphones, and interdiffusion nasal membranes releasing carefully selected essential oils. It is therefore necessary to distinguish HMDs intended for popular entertainment from those designed for strictly medical applications. In this context, reducing the size and weight of the entire setup is also crucial for patient comfort and, in particular, physician operability.

 

 

Acknowledgements

 

I would like to express my gratitude to Kyiv Medical University for didactic cooperation, and to the Journal Editors for publishing this Letter to inspire future generations to engage in evidence-based research.

 

Tomasz ‘Tomi’ Kupka, Master of Dentistry, Academic Doctor in Dental Materials/PhD, Associated Professor of Teaching, Polish Campus in Katowice of the Kyiv Medical University.

 

REFERENCES (6)

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