Relationship and Sex in Virtual Reality: Does It Work Out?
Even though virtual reality is being used much wider each year, the question of whether VR can build bridges of sexual relationships remains open. Usually, science mentions hormones and the physical aspects of relationships, talking about the possibility of establishing close contact between people. However, does it work out without them? Can you think about apologizing to your girlfriend in VR? If you take a closer look at the 3 stages of love and the achievements of the VR industry, you will understand that everything is quite possible, and no problems will arise.
Stage 1: Lust
Passion is nothing but an altered state of mind, pre-programmed by the primitive instinct for procreation. Lust affects the brain in the same manner as cocaine: it increases the level of dopamine, a well-known neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure. When lust is the first stage of falling in love, it is not surprising that dating applications like OkCupid have spiced up the very concept of dating. Most likely, a virtual universe will use the charm of lust to attract the attention of users. That is, digital technology will be designed to make the user be driven by lust. On the one hand, both researchers and ordinary people worry that virtual reality will only make people prefer isolation and disunity. On the other hand, some people are sure that VR is a powerful means which, on the contrary, will help people in establishing committed relationships because it will only deepen the sexual connection and make people fall in love.
Stage 2: Attraction
When the first rush of lust weakens, people face a strong attraction. It is characterized by a transition from eroticism to romance. However, what can romance mean in the era of virtual reality? The fact is that people turn from lust to attraction quite fast, having access to modern technology. This is natural since the interaction between two individuals is much more active. To communicate, you do not need to make time and meet in person; you can just send a message. However, anyway, you need to start communicating to launch the process. If you are a newcomer to a relationship, then your communication will be based on questions. And if the digital world allows you to share these questions, then VR adds a physical element. With the help of multi-touch and interactive experience, people will get much closer to each other. According to the researchers, it will work out in the best way. Imagine a date on which you can discuss the beauty of the night sky at one of the levels of the Eiffel Tower, without spending much on the flight. The sensations will be quite natural and breathtaking. Besides, for others, the very possibility of creating quite realistic spaces can be real salvation because it is about romance, which always brings together. And, above all, it will help introverts since they will be able to create the ideal scenario and atmosphere for dating.
Stage 3: Attachment
The transition from sympathy to attachment demands strong feelings in addition to physical attraction. So far, VR cannot provide its potential users with the ability to hear, see, or feel their soul mate in the cyberspace. And this is one of the many causes why virtual reality can become the future of dating.
A relationship in VR has several benefits over a usual one. Strangely enough, it is about access to a wider range of acquaintances, the possibility to have sex and develop relationships before meeting in the offline world.
Some dating sites have already stated that people will be able to sense pheromones and touch the shoulders of a potential lover by 2040.
June 5th, 2019
Posted in Articles
