"We can’t all go into space but to have this VR experience is so incredibly important. It is so immersive and awe inspiring. This should be available to all leaders of the world to see, because you can only understand the system if you look at it from one layer above it, and that is exactly what this overview experience gives us."

EarthScape VR has been awarded the Creative Catalyst Grant by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Our team is immensely grateful to Innovate UK for believing in our mission of delivering comprehensive digital solutions that prioritise preventative and early intervention care in mental health. The funding and support from Innovate UK will significantly enhance our efforts moving forward. This investment will enable us to advance the development of a new virtual reality programme and test a new 12-week VR-assisted digital solution designed to address stress and symptoms of anxiety. We have a six-month timeline to complete the VR programme and to start the recruitment and data collection phases. To support this research, we have partnered with charities such as the Eden Project and well-being centres like Atrium. Additionally, we have assembled a consortium of advisors to provide guidance on key factors related to the research project, ensuring we uphold robust ethical standards. Results will be shared on our social media platforms and website next year. We could not have achieved this without the ongoing and unwavering support of Innovate UK and our incredible team. Our mission is to unite creativity and science to develop impactful, innovative, and evidence-based digital solutions for those facing mental health challenges. By integrating digital therapy with nature therapy—two previously distinct approaches—we believe we can foster hope and innovation within the mental health landscape. We aspire to join the ranks of other remarkable leaders in the United Kingdom's talent pool in this area. Our small but dynamic team includes David Schemtob, an expert in planning intergalactic missions who also excels in finance and marketing—though his contributions extend far beyond those roles. We are also joined by co-founder Charlie Perring, who has extensive experience in digital marketing and start-ups and Dr Annahita Nezami a psychologist who founded EarthScape VR based on her research into the therapeutic value of Earth gazing and the Overview Effect. We are a beautifully diverse team, both culturally and personally. What truly empowers us is the respect, ethics, honesty, and humility that each member brings to the table. Dr Annahita Nezami, Charlie Perring, David Schemtob Tag @innovateuk and @UKRI_News 

The Shadows That Lurk Within

Psychedelics can induce altered states of consciousness that can lead to increased self-awareness and emotional catharsis, so what is their potential for use in mental health?