“I couldn't really imagine, what it's like to not imagine…” 

PHOTOREALISTIC IMAGINATION - APHANTASIA - HYPERPHANTASIA

Imagine…rather picture.. no, visualize a place in your m.....

What if none of these were an option for your brain?  No going to your happy place, where the flowers are in bloom and the tea is hot?  No being comforted by the golden sunset on the beach, or the vista from atop the mountain in your minds eye.  Yes, “I couldn't really imagine what it's like to not imagine…”

The experience of those that live with Aphantasia, can be accompanied by memory issues and difficulty remembering faces. This is not to say, that these individuals cannot retain information, or remember intricate detail.  When giving descriptions, people with Aphantasian will often cite detailed facts and data, rather than using imagery. Many are likely to be introverted, as well.

Some information on Aphantasia, dates back to the1880s but, there hasn’t been a lot of attention on the subject until recent years. The brain’s cerebral cortex is thought to function differently, causing interference with mental visualization. One view on Aphantasia considers, it may only be a different way of thinking; suggesting the Neurodivergent, rather than the neurological.

With Hyperphantasia, some people experience powerful imagery generation within the mind; or being said to have “Photorealistic Imagination”.

"Typically, individuals with hyper-imagination are able to construct imagery that is beyond detailed and brightly outlined—resulting in some individuals having the capability even to experience a 360-degree vision.."

Paul Deretskiy

The contrast between Aphantasia and Hyperphantasia, is just another fascinating reflection of the human mind.  The links below are definitely a rabbit hole worth exploring. It seems I may know a bit about photorealistic imagery, as well as little more about myself.   Imagining what one with Aphantasia may experience, I’m at a loss...

I imagine it may feel… like “being blind in your mind”.  I couldn’t imagine, “what it’s like not to imagine”.

"Brain" Artwork below by John Hain: Buy him a cup?

https://pixabay.com/images/id-1000062/

Paul Deretskiy’s piece:
https://memoryos.com/article/hyperphantasia-revealing-the-truth-about-photorealistic-imagination

Photorealistic  Imagination:
https://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/hyperphantasia/

Aphantasia:
https://www.stemata.org/blog/what-is-the-loss-of-the-minds-eye-or-aphantasia

UK Aphantasia discussion:
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-34039054

When you are blind in your mind:
https://www.verywellmind.com/aphantasia-overview-4178710

What is Aphantasia:
https://aphantasia.com/what-is-aphantasia/

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