Imagine suddenly being unable to picture loved ones’ faces, revisit cherished memories, or mentally plan your next home renovation. This is the reality for those with acquired aphantasia – a condition where the ability to create mental images is lost due to neurological injuries, psychiatric disorders, or other medical conditions. Like other forms of aphantasia, it can affect a single sense or multiple sensory modalities.
Acquired aphantasia provides valuable research opportunities, as studying the transition from having mental imagery to losing it suddenly offers unique insights into the brain’s cognitive processing systems and adaptability. The comparison between acquired aphantasia and the more common form, congenital aphantasia (present from birth) helps researchers better understand both conditions and the broader role of mental imagery in human cognition.
On this page, you’ll find scientific papers, stories from individuals who have experienced this transition, community discussions, and videos on acquired aphantasia.
