Those familiar with early virtual reality (VR) technology will be well aware of the issues with simulator sickness. Though much less of a problem with current head-mounted displays (HMDs), the first version of the Oculus Rift development kit (DK1) was known to cause issues for many thanks to latency between head-tracking and screen movement among other factors. Now Excedrin is using VR to deliberately simulate another common human condition; migraines.

The company has revealed the world’s first ‘Migraine Simulator’, which aims to replicate the unpleasant experiences of a migraine using the Oculus Rift. As seen in a video below, users strap on a modified version of the HMD that includes pass-through cameras and is tethered to a PC rig that is then worn on the user’s back. They are then challenged with carrying out 30 minutes of their usual day-to-day tasks while the VR tech generates images and delays that simulate the effects of a migraine.

A video of the experience, showcasing some of the visual effects it implements, can be seen below. The piece has been created to help raise awareness of the real effects of a migraine for those that have never experienced them before. Using the Oculus Rift DK1, it’s bound to be an uncomfortable challenge although, for the first time in a VR title, that’s exactly the point.

VRFocus will continue to follow any and all applications of VR, reporting back with the latest on them.