Gesture-based casting and manipulation of virtual content in artificial-reality environments

Embodiments are directed to a near eye display (NED) system for displaying artificial reality content to a user and to manipulate displayed content items based upon gestures performed by users of the NED system. A user of the NED system may perform a gesture simulating the throwing of an object to "cast" a content item to a target location in an artificial reality (AR) environment displayed by the NED system. The gesture may comprise a first portion in which the user's hand "grabs" or "pinches" a virtual object corresponding to the content item and moves backwards relative to their body, and a second portion in which the user's hand moves forwards relative to their body and releases the virtual object. The target location may be identified based upon a trajectory associated with the backwards motion of the first portion of the gesture.