Josh Stone

<p>I've heard the terms voluntary and involuntary sight used. I wonder if psychedelics involve involuntary sight, like dreams. And if any psychedelics are like dreams, from what I've read DMT would have to be it.</p>

I'm hopeful that any research could eventually lead to an experience similar to that of the general population. I would prefer that it not be permanent and that vividness be controllable because I do worry that after a lifetime one way, such a change could be overly distracting. Am I a blind man saying that the light is too bright, maybe, but I'd like to have some control over it should the technology ever progress to a point where someone full aphantasic could experience all those senses in recall.

It was brought up last March, but it was this week that I knew for sure. I'm 39. I could have gone my whole life without finding out.

When I first suspected I had aphantasia, I kind of brushed it off. Recently the topic was revisited and I discovered I had full aphantasia and I have felt less than, like others have had superpowers this whole time. I'm somewhat comforted that others have this condition but not relieved, I'm failing to see the positives. I would love to see more research into the positives of Aphantasia. So far my research has not made me happy, quite the opposite as I discover more and more "superpowers" I lack. Yes, learning about Aphantasia has had negative affects on my mental health as it has me questioning my experience, it sparks questions of a religious nature I left behind long ago, and perhaps related to other recent events which made me feel less valued than others in the workplace, it has me feeling less than others.  Do I feel held back, inhibited from doing things... I feel wildly disadvantaged. What is art but tracing your visualization? What is writing when you can visualize the scene all senses included?  I would enjoy seeing research on the prevalence, positives, and possibilities for aphantasiacs.

<p>Visualize... I wish I could recall the first time this was said to me and the confusion it undoubtedly caused. You mean think about it. You mean remember seeing it previously. You sure don't mean close my eyes and see it cause there's nothing there. </p>

Yeah, we're not alone. I experience no sensory memory, no mind-movie when reading, and no inner-monologue. And each them is blowing my mind in their own unique way. I'm on the heels of 40 and this realization makes me feel like I'm at a disadvantage, like life for others is on easy mode. 

What I've read so far is that dreams are a type of involuntary vision and that people with aphantasia commonly dream is vivid, life-like dreams. I'm curious though about the psychedelic experience and how it might differ. Do you see entirely new images (dancing bears?) or is it more of a object breathing, bending, twisting kind of visual experience or both/something else entirely?

Memory. I know the moves, I can still reason out a strategy of possible outcomes and outcomes of that. I actually played a lot of chess as a child and it makes me wonder if something like speed chess would be more or less advantageous.