Transforming Pain Management with Mixed Reality. #1 - 'Digital Health Revolution For Chronic Inflammation' Series
Meet the Co-Founder of Paincation, Mark Nicoll, building a mixed reality solution for chronic pain management
For many of us living with chronic inflammation, the physical pain often intertwines with emotional isolation—a cycle that’s challenging to break. Enter Paincation (1), a revolutionary mixed-reality (2) platform designed to foster connection and holistic well-being for individuals navigating the complexities of autoimmune conditions.
In this interview, we sit down with the visionary founder, Mark Nicoll, of Paincation to explore how their personal journey with Crohn’s disease shaped the creation of this innovative tool. From navigating years of undiagnosed pain to pioneering a new way of addressing the intersection of physical and emotional health, the story behind Paincation is one of resilience and determination.
We’ll dive into how mixed reality is redefining chronic pain support, the challenges of creating tech solutions for health, and the exciting future ahead for Paincation. Whether you’re curious about the role of technology in health care or looking for new ways to manage chronic pain, this conversation is sure to inspire.
1. Can you share a bit more about your personal journey with chronic inflammation and illness and how it inspired the creation of Paincation?
Mark: I started noticing something wasn’t right with my health when I was about 18—stomach pains, nausea, the works. Over the next decade, these issues worsened dramatically. By the time I was 30, I’d endured 10 years of excruciating pain, still undiagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
One morning, after calling in sick for work—something I had never done before—I overdosed on painkillers in desperation. Somehow, I managed to drive myself to A&E, crawling on my hands and knees across the car park. I pulled myself up to the front desk and said, “I don’t feel that great.”
I woke up six weeks later in a hospital bed surrounded by people. Alongside an overdose, I’d developed sepsis, a bowel-bladder fistula, and a slew of other complications due to untreated Crohn’s.
That wasn’t my last brush with this nightmare. A decade later, I found myself in the same situation again. However, through trial, error, and self-advocacy, I finally learned to manage my condition. Quality sleep, nutrition, and even small amounts of exercise transformed my health.
This lived experience—the pain, isolation, and hopelessness—was the foundation for Paincation.
2. In just a few words could you explain what Paincation is and who it is for?
Mark: Paincation creates safe, mixed-reality spaces where people with autoimmune conditions can connect, share experiences, and improve their physical and emotional health together.
3. What was the moment or experience that made you realise a solution like Paincation was necessary?
Mark: The turning point came through conversations with others in similar situations. People struggling with pain often talked about how isolation compounded their challenges.
For many, attending in-person support groups wasn’t feasible—whether due to flare-ups, fatigue, or extended periods of illness. The stories I heard echoed my own: pain leading to isolation, which in turn led to loneliness and, in severe cases, depression or self-harm.
I knew there had to be a better way—a way to create community, even from the confines of a hospital bed or home.
4. Why did you choose virtual reality to combat loneliness and isolation among those with chronic illnesses?
Mark: We’re at the end of the mobile phone era; it’s been 15 years since the iPhone was launched. People are app fatigued—they’ve seen it all before.
New platforms like mixed reality offer fresh ways to create meaningful experiences. Just as the iPhone enabled Instagram and Uber, platforms like the Apple Vision Pro will unlock new possibilities for health-focused solutions.
With Paincation, mixed reality allows users to interact within their natural environments, combining the benefits of VR with the comfort of home. This is more than technology—it’s a new way to empower people with chronic conditions.
5. How does Paincation address the cycle of physical and mental pain?
Mark: While Paincation isn’t a medical product and doesn’t claim to directly reduce pain, it does offer tools for holistic well-being. For instance, research shows that gaming can act as a drug-free painkiller, providing temporary relief by shifting focus; interview a hundred 25 year old women with endometriosis and they will tell you they use computer games — of all kinds — to take their minds off of their physical and mental pain.
Paincation builds on this idea, combining community support, light physical activity, nutrition guidance, and sleep optimisation. These elements create a comprehensive well-being system tailored to autoimmune conditions.
For those needing additional help, our seamless therapy marketplace connects users with psychologists, sleep coaches, and nutritionists. This is all accessed seamlessly from within the Apple Vision Pro Paincation app.all from within the app.
6. What’s next for Paincation? What excites you most about the future?
Mark: The future is ambitious. Building a platform like this takes time, resources, and a team that believes in the vision. We’re gearing up for a pre-seed funding round to bring Paincation to life.
I’m most excited about the possibilities that Apple Vision Pro and similar technologies will unlock. This is just the beginning.
What is Mixed Reality (MR)?