A research team at the University of Basel in Switzerland has created Phobys, an app that uses augmented reality as a form of exposure therapy. The goal is to reduce the very common fear of spiders known as arachnophobia. Lead author Anja Zimmer says that in a study of 66 people, participants were significantly less afraid of and disgusted by real spiders after using the app. The World’s Bianca Hillier gives it a try.
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