Perception-altering goggles might trick people into eating less

(CBS News) Can't seem to keep up with that diet? Goggles developed in Japan may be able to help you eat smaller portion sizes -- and trick you into thinking food tastes better.

University of Tokyo scientists created digital devices that have the ability to alter people's senses, proving that what you see (or smell) isn't always what you get. One of the items, computer-enhanced goggles, had the ability to visually change the size of the food the person was eating.

When a cookie appeared twice as large, subjects ate almost 10 percent less of it. When cookies looked half their actual size, subjects ate 15 percent more.

Professor Michitaka Hirose, who worked on the project, told AFP that when it comes to trying to create virtual reality, the equipment can get big and cumbersome in order to help change a person's perception of touch. Smaller devices like goggles that fool one or two senses might be able to help solve that problem.

"Reality is in your mind," he said to AFP.

Another of their projects, nicknamed a "meta cookie," tricked subjects into thinking they were eating something sweet. The headgear not only had a visual component to make the food look more flavorful, it had a scent bottle that gave off the aroma of whatever food they were trying to trick the subject into thinking they were eating. For example, even though they were given plain biscuits, scientists were able to make the subjects think they were eating strawberry or chocolate cookies with an 80 percent success rate.

There's no plans to sell either device, but researchers are curious to see if people who want to lose weight are interested in trying them out. Until then, perhaps you should bring your magnifying glasses the next time you eat out.