What is Phantom Sense in VR? The Mind-Blowing Illusion Explained

Phantom sense is a sensory illusion that occurs in virtual reality. It makes you feel the sense of touch, pressure, pain, or even temperature in a virtual environment.

Even though there is no physical object to cause such a feeling, still you can feel it. Suppose you are in a VR game, and someone virtually taps you on the shoulder.

You know that it is not real, but you still feel it. That is the Phantom sense in action. 

The phenomenon is not just limited to touch. Some users report feeling the wind on their skin, the warmth of a virtual fire, or the weight of an object they are holding in the virtual world.

It happens because your brain is so immersed in the experience that it fills in the gaps. Therefore, it creates sensations that don’t actually exist.

This illusion is not built into VR hardware. It is actually an effect of how the brain interprets the virtual world.

Phantom sense tricks your mind into believing that something is physically happening.

What Types of Phantom Senses Exist in VR?

The most common types of Phantom senses are mentioned below.

• Phantom Touch: This is the most widely reported form of Phantom Sense. Users feel pressure, texture, or even movement on their skin when interacting with virtual objects. For example, you can “feel” a virtual cat rubbing against your leg or a soft breeze brushing against your arm.
• Phantom Temperature: Some people feel heat or cold in VR. If a game places you near a digital fireplace, your hands might feel warm. Similarly, if you’re in a snowy landscape, you might shiver.
• Phantom Pain or Discomfort: This type is less common. Some users report mild pain or discomfort in VR. For example, if your avatar gets hit in a combat game, you might feel a brief ache in the same spot. This effect is similar to the “phantom limb” sensation experienced by amputees. In their case, the brain still expects to receive input from a missing body part.
• Phantom Smell and Taste: Some users claim to smell or taste things in VR. For instance, if they’re in a digital bakery, they might “smell” fresh bread. Even though no scent is present in real life,

How Does Phantom Sense Work?

Phantom sense relies on the brain’s ability to create sensations. These sensations are based on expectations and past experiences.

The human brain is constantly processing sensory information. Therefore, it often fills in gaps based on context.

The illusion takes place in the following ways.

1. Immersion and Suggestion

The more immersed you are in, we are, the stronger your brain adapts to the digital world.

For example, when you expect to feel something like the warmth of a campfire in a VR game, your brain can generate that feeling on its own. Now, if you focus on that thought, the illusion becomes even stronger.

2. Neuroplasty and Training

Some people experience phantom sense more strongly because their brains adapt faster to VR environments.

This is due to neuroplasty. It is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself based on new experiences.

The more time you spend in VR, the more your brain starts to treat it as a real place. Thus, it leads to more frequent phantom sensations.

3. Mirror Neurons and Sensory Association

Mirror neurons are brain cells that activate when we see something else performing an action. For example, if you watch someone get hit in a movie, you might instinctively flinch.

This system can cause Phantom touch in VR. When you see something touching your Avatar virtual hand, your brain can feel it too. Even though there is no real contact.

The Science Behind Phantom Sense

In other words, you need to understand the science behind Phantom sense to understand the overall case.

Phantom sense is closely related to phantom limb syndrome. This occurs when someone loses a limb but continues to feel sensations like pain or itching in the missing lip.

Note that both Phantom sense and Phantom limb syndrome are examples of the brain creating sensations. In this case, no external stimuli are present.

Additionally, the brain is essentially triggered in the case of VR. Hence, it believes that the virtual environment is real.

The Phantom will occur more if the experience is highly immersive. This is why high-quality VR systems are more likely to trigger phantom sense than low-quality setups.

This is because such systems have realistic graphics, smooth motion tracking, and spatial audio.

Who Experiences Phantom Sense the Most?

Everyone does not experience Phantom Sense. Those who do often report different levels of intensity.

The following factors contribute to how likely someone is to feel these illusions:

• High Immersion Levels: People who deeply engage with VR and lose track of the real world are more likely to experience Phantom Sense.
• Frequent VR Users: The more time spent in VR, the more the brain adapts and accepts digital experiences as real.
• Strong Imagination and Suggestibility: People who are highly imaginative or prone to hypnosis often report stronger Phantom Sense.
• Pre-existing Sensory Sensitivity: Some individuals are naturally more sensitive to sensations, making them more likely to experience Phantom Sense.

Is Phantom Sense Good or Bad?

Phantom Sense is generally harmless and even enhances immersion in VR. However, it can have both positive and negative effects.

Pros:

• Makes VR feel more real. It increases engagement in games and simulations.
• Enhances training experiences, such as medical VR simulations where users can “feel” surgical tools.
• Provides a new layer of sensory interaction that makes VR more lifelike.

Cons:

• Some users feel uncomfortable when Phantom Sense becomes too intense.
• Phantom pain sensations become unpleasant in combat or horror games.
• Can linger after removing the headset.

Wrapping Up

Phantom Sense in VR is a fascinating scenario. It tells how one can trick our brain to feel sensations that don’t physically exist.

It might be a cool breeze, a cozy campfire, or simply a soft touch. VR becomes even more immersive with these experiences.

Phantom Sense is not felt by everyone. Those who experience it, however, characterize it as astounding and unbelievable.

Have you ever experienced Phantom Sense in VR? Let us know your thoughts.