Picture a sandy beach , wave lapping at the shore , and the Sun setting on the horizon . For most citizenry this is an wanton task , but for a small ratio , it ’s impossible . do it as “ aphantasia , ” doctors havedescribed for the first timea precondition where masses ca n’t form mental epitome in their “ mind ’s optic . ”
It ’s consider that as many asone in fiftypeople might have aphantasia . Some report that it defecate them experience “ alone ” or “ separated , ” cognise that they ca n’t see things that most people can , and that they feel disquieted they ca n’t picture friends or at rest relatives . But others have con to inhabit with it , and simply think that they know liveliness in a different room . One such person is Niel Kenmuir from Lancaster , England .
“ I can think of not understanding what ' counting sheep ' fee-tail when I could n’t catch some Z’s , ” said Kenmuir in astatement . “ I take they meant it in a figural sense . When I tried it myself , I find myself turning my headland to watch over inconspicuous sheep fly by . I ’ve spent twelvemonth appear online for info about my experimental condition , and find nothing . I ’m very glad that it is now being researched and limit . ”
This is where cognitive neurologist Professor Adam Zeman from theUniversity of Exetercomes in , who name the condition in anew studypublished in Cortex . It was first identify in the 1880s and has occasionally been described as a solvent of major brain damage , but the phenomenon has , until now , appeal little attending . Then an article published in Discover powder store abduce a previous paper by Zeman prompt 21 hoi polloi to get in contact with him . Zeman then decided to describe their experiences in the new paper .
One of the patients with the shape , Tom Ebeyer from Ontario , Canada , did n’t realize he had it until he was 21 . All of his senses are impacted , and he can not call up heavy , texture , or even smell out . “ It had a serious emotional impact , ” heexplained . “ I began to feel isolate – unable to do something so primal to the average human experience . The ability to recall memory and experiences , the smell of flowers or the speech sound of a bang one ’s voice ; before I reveal that recall these things was humanly possible , I was n’t even aware of what I was neglect out on . ”
Visualization is think to be the result of a net of part found throughout the brain all work together to beget images ground on memories . The best guess so far is that in those who have aphantasia , somehow the contact between these areas in the brain are disrupt . This would also help to explicate how the condition can also be stimulate by major brain damage .
To confuse the situation even more , while those with aphantasia ca n’t voluntarily think pictures , the do still dream . Zeman is sure that the stipulation is real , but stresses that it is “ not a disorder , ” and plans on delving deeper and direct more research .
