https://phys.org/news/2018-11-vrtigo-nerves-virtual-reality.html

The developers want to keep the surprise under wraps, but the program's name – VRTIGO – gives an idea of what users can expect. Volunteers will be asked to don an immersive headset and will be led to a sectioned-off area where the experiment will take place. The program will transport them to a virtual world that appears surprisingly realistic.

"Even though users consciously know it's a virtual experience, the perception they get from their senses tells them otherwise. And their bodies react accordingly – their palms start sweating and they start walking very carefully," say João Rodrigues and Erik Studer, two of the researchers who developed the program. The virtual walk into the unknown is perfectly safe and designed to be fun, but is nonetheless limited to adults over 18. "We've gotten excellent feedback from people who've tried it," adds Studer. "And if the experience starts feeling too intense, users can just close their eyes or take off the headset and their sensory perceptions will return to normal."