Virtual reality aiding preventative healthcare, and can change lives

Forget about video games, how about virtual reality being used in the medical world as a high-tech method for preventative care? Each sip of a soda or bite of your favorite fast food meal, and you see your waistline begin to expand.

Researchers from the University of Georgia are finding unique ways to show people the long-term danger in excessive sugar intake - which can lead to obesity - and VR seems to help people learn.

"We've found virtual reality to be much more effective than pamphlets or videos at getting the message across and prompting behavior change," said Grace Ahn, assistant professor in advertising and lead of the Georgia VR research efforts, in a statement published by the WSJ.

Our brains are able to process and learn from VR in the same manner as an actual experience, so a chance to experience the future is a valuable learning tool. Of course, it's super expensive to create just a couple minute using a customized avatar individualized for each person - so don't expect to see this technology at the local health fair just yet.