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“Diversity makes the richness of humanity”: The emergence and persistence of mental imagery after self-reported psilocybin truffles intake in an autistic woman with “blind imagination” (aphantasia): A 33-month retrospective case report

DOI: 10.1556/2054.2025.00320
Rebecchi, K. (2025). “diversity makes the richness of humanity”: the emergence and persistence of mental imagery after self-reported psilocybin truffles intake in an autistic woman with “blind imagination” (aphantasia): a 33-month retrospective case report. Journal of Psychedelic Studies. doi:10.1556/2054.2025.00320

Abstract

This 33-month retrospective case report explores the impact of psilocybin truffle intake on the emergence (and persistence) of mental imagery in an autistic woman with aphantasia. Aphantasia refers to the inability to generate visual mental images, which can significantly affect individuals' experiences and cognitive processes.The case study focuses on a 34-year-old autistic woman who had been living with aphantasia since childhood. After consuming psilocybin truffles, she reported experiencing vivid mental imagery for the first time, with the ability to manipulate and explore images in her mind. The effects persisted even after the psychedelic effects of psilocybin subsided. To document this change, she completed the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire at several timepoints. Retrospectively, she reported a baseline score of 16 (pre-intake) and a post-intake score of 80. A contemporaneous follow-up conducted 12 months later revealed a score of 59, and a subsequent assessment at 33 months showed a further increase to 68, slightly above the population average.The findings align with previous research on the effects of psilocybin on brain connectivity, neuroplasticity, and visual processing. The case report highlights the potential of psilocybin to modulate mental imagery in individuals with (putatively congenital) aphantasia and suggests avenues for further research. Moreover, it raises questions about the classification and pathologization of aphantasia, encouraging a shift toward recognizing cognitive diversity rather than pathologizing neurocognitive differences.

Authors

  • Kevin Rebecchi2

Overview/Introduction

This case report explores the intriguing effects of psilocybin truffles on mental imagery in a 34-year-old autistic woman with aphantasia, a condition characterized by the inability to generate visual mental images. After consuming psilocybin truffles, she experienced vivid mental imagery for the first time, which persisted even after the psychedelic effects wore off. This study sheds light on the potential of psilocybin to influence cognitive processes and challenges traditional views on aphantasia.

Methodology

  • Participant: A 34-year-old autistic woman with a lifelong history of aphantasia.
  • Intervention: Consumption of psilocybin truffles.
  • Assessment Tool: Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) was used to measure changes in mental imagery.
  • Timepoints: Imagery scores were recorded at baseline (pre-intake), immediately post-intake, 12 months later, and 33 months post-intake.

Key Findings

  • Initial Impact: Post-intake, the participant's VVIQ score increased from 16 to 80, indicating a significant enhancement in mental imagery.
  • Long-term Effects: At 12 months, the score was 59, and at 33 months, it rose to 68, slightly above the population average.
  • Subjective Experience: The participant reported the ability to manipulate and explore mental images, dream in images, and experience visual memories for the first time.
  • Cognitive Diversity: The findings align with existing research on psilocybin's effects on brain connectivity and neuroplasticity, suggesting potential cognitive benefits for individuals with aphantasia.

Implications

  • Cognitive Diversity: This case encourages a shift from pathologizing aphantasia to recognizing it as part of cognitive diversity.
  • Potential for Therapeutic Use: Psilocybin may offer cognitive modulation benefits, particularly for those with aphantasia or similar conditions.
  • Research Directions: Further studies are needed to explore psilocybin's effects on mental imagery and its potential therapeutic applications.

Limitations

  • Single Case Study: The findings are based on a single participant's self-reported experience, limiting generalizability.
  • Lack of Control Group: Without a control group, it's challenging to attribute changes solely to psilocybin.
  • Need for Systematic Research: More comprehensive studies with larger samples and controlled conditions are necessary to validate these findings.
In conclusion, this case report highlights the potential of psilocybin to alter mental imagery in individuals with aphantasia, suggesting new avenues for research and therapeutic exploration. However, caution is advised due to the study's limitations, and further research is essential to fully understand the implications of these findings.