When I was young, I could imagine images vividly. I created escapist worlds before I fell asleep at times. I still dream in images. I did have a pretty good amount of childhood trauma and bad nightmares, but that also led towards drug use in my late teen years. This included hallucinigenics. (this was 30 years ago – I have lived a lifetime of responsibility since, but we all have histories)
I have notoriously bad memory towards anything personal. The memories I have I think in words, but I have virtually no inner monologue. I liken it to being a mentat in the Dune universe (sci-fi fan)… "it is by will alone I set my mind in motion".
Last night I learned about aphantasia. I immediately started searching for whether or not it could be caused by prior substance use. I am sure not in all cases, but I wonder if the strong visualizations found in hallucinigenics can turn off normal imaginatory vision.
I am curious if this is being considered? Anyone looking for causal links? All I can find is that some think that hallucigenics (particularly DMT) may help turn the mind's eye back on – not the other way around.