Seething in unbearable pain? Put on your virtual reality headsets, and immerse yourself in the icy cold environs of the arctic, and see the pain vanish within minutes.

Scientists from Imperial College of London have found that using virtual reality headsets could combat increased sensitivity to pain. The virtual reality scenes immerse the patients in scenes of icebergs, frigid oceans, and sprawling icescapes.

According to researchers, the finding adds to the growing evidence for the potential of VR technology to help patients with chronic pain. Beyond the distracting effect, the scientists believe that immersing the patients in VR may actually trigger the body’s own in-built pain fighting system, which reduces the intensity of ongoing pain.