Aphantasia - GoKawiil

Study on aphantasia challenges 'reverse vision' theory of imagination

A review published in Consciousness and Cognition by Derek Arnold, Loren Bouyer, Blake Saurels and Samuel Schwarzkopf argues that mental imagery is not simply visual perception run backward through the primary visual cortex. Drawing on cases of aphantasia—a lifelong inability to form mental images—and patients who retain imagery despite losing visual cortex tissue, the authors contend that imagination arises from cooperation among frontal and other distributed brain regions rather than a single visual 'screen.'

dailyneuron.com · 2026-09-14

Aphantasia Network Publishes Beginner's Guide to Image-Free Thinking

Aphantasia Network has released an introductory guide explaining aphantasia, the inability to voluntarily visualize mental images, aimed at people who have just learned they have the condition. The guide uses a simple 'apple test' where readers try to picture a red apple, with the inability to conjure any image signaling likely aphantasia. It also clarifies that phrases like 'mind's eye' or 'counting sheep' are literal experiences for most people, not just figures of speech.

aphantasia.com · 2026-08-27