Mycelium Dream is an immersive VR experience that takes users deep into the interconnected world of mycelial networks, a place where nature, consciousness, and some seriously trippy visuals come together. Think of it as a guided tour of the psychedelic realm, but without the need for actual psychedelics.

This project is about breaking the stigma around psychedelic exploration by creating a safe, interactive space where users can wander through a mushroom-filled dreamscape, touch the glowing threads of mycelium, and see how everything in nature (and maybe even our minds) is deeply connected.

The Inspiration and The passion 

Psychedelics have long been associated with mental health benefits, but for many, they still carry a lot of fear and misinformation. Mycelium Dream serves as a bridge, a way to introduce people to the psychedelic experience through VR, offering a glimpse into how interconnected everything truly is.

With Stable Diffusion-powered dreamlike visuals and real-time interactivity in Unity, this project brings to life the invisible, web-like networks that allow fungi to communicate, heal, and thrive, just like the neural pathways in our own brains. Trippy? Yes. But also deeply meaningful.

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How It Works

• VR Exploration: Walk through a surreal, mycelium-rich landscape.
• Interactive Networks: Touch and engage with glowing mycelial threads.
• Psychedelic-Inspired Aesthetic: Created using Stable Diffusion to capture the dreamlike quality of psychedelic visuals.
• Unity-Powered: Real-time rendering makes the mycelium feel alive and responsive.

Why It Matters

Mycelial networks mirror the way our brains work, both are vast, interconnected systems capable of growth, healing, and adaptation. By immersing users in this world, Mycelium Dream offers a unique way to explore mental health, consciousness, and the natural intelligence of fungi.

At its core, this project isn’t just about VR or cool visuals, it’s about inviting people to see the mind (and the world) differently, breaking down barriers to understanding psychedelics, and maybe, just maybe, realizing that we’re all a little more connected than we think.

Because let’s be real, who doesn’t want to take a mushroom trip without the commitment and consequences? 

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Problem

How can we use AI to create an immersive experience that visualizes hidden networks and fosters a deeper understanding of interconnectedness in nature and the subconscious mind?

Process

• Developed a VR experience using Unity and Stable Diffusion to generate dynamic AI-powered landscapes.
• Designed an evolving mushroom-filled world, mirroring real-life mycelial networks and their unseen connectivity.
• Used Stable Diffusion to create procedural AI-generated visuals, ensuring each user's journey through the VR space was unique.
• Focused on engagement and aesthetic appeal, combining organic movement with real-time generative elements.

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Solution

• A fully immersive VR storytelling experience where users explore an adaptive world shaped by AI-driven interactions.
• Users spend 3-5 minutes exploring, witnessing generative visuals transform based on movement and gaze.
• The experience bridges AI, interactive storytelling, and digital meditation, encouraging reflection on natural intelligence.

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Outcome

• Exhibited at ITP Winter Show 2023, where over 100+ users engaged with the installation.
• Sparked conversations about AI, fungi networks, and mental health, reinforcing AI’s potential in creative storytelling.
• Demonstrated how generative AI and immersive technology can be used for non-linear narrative experiences.

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