Virtual Embodiment as an Extension of Consciousness: An Empirical Exploration of Synesthetic Experiences in VRChat

This article presents a first-person empirical account of synesthetic experiences—referred to as "phantom sensations"—within the virtual environment of VRChat. The author explores how prolonged immersion in virtual reality can lead to the perception of tactile sensations corresponding to virtual body parts, including non-existent ones like wings or tails. The study discusses the implications of such experiences for our understanding of body ownership, consciousness, and the potential applications in therapeutic and technological contexts.