National Geographic - USA (2020-01)

Hanna LeBuhn, who
suffers from pain in her
jaw joints, watches the
mesmerizing motion
of jellyfish on a virtual
reality headset in Luana
Colloca’s lab. The scene,
one of a series of relax-
ing marine images,
is projected on the wall.
Colloca, who studies
the neuro biology of
pain at the University
of Maryland, has estab-
lished that VR that
entertains patients
eases their pain. “VR has
the unique capability,”
she said, “of regulating
body responses to pain,
improving mood, and
reducing anxiety.”
MARK THIESSEN