Involuntary Imagery

Involuntary imagery occurs spontaneously without conscious effort, such as during dreams, reading, flashbacks, or sudden memories. Some people with aphantasia report experiencing some forms of involuntary imagery (particularly dreams) despite lacking voluntary imagery abilities. This distinction helps researchers understand the different neural pathways involved in imagery generation. On this page, you'll find research, personal experiences, and discussions about involuntary imagery and its relationship to aphantasia.

Involuntary Imagery

Reference

Pupil changes to voluntary and involuntary visual imagery: A unified paradigm with implications for aphantasia research

Researchers found that pupil constriction occurs during both voluntary and involuntary imagery but does not correlate with self-reported vividness. This underscores the need for objective physiological tools to reliably assess aphantasia.

Vanbuckhave, C., Huson, N., Lœvenbruck, H., Guyader, N., & Chauvin, A. (2026). Pupil changes to voluntary and involuntary visual imagery: a unified paradigm with implications for aphantasia research. Neuropsychologia, 223, 109378. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2026.109378

recently

Reference

An inwardly focused cognitive style links mental imagery and mental health

Mental imagery vividness is part of an inwardly focused cognitive style linked to interoception and mindfulness. This trait mediates the relationship between imagery and mental health by shaping emotional awareness and regulation.

Kvamme, T. L., Rutiku, R., Wierzchoń, M., Griskova-Bulanova, I., Fardo, F., Barzykowski, K., Sandberg, K., & Silvanto, J. (2026). An inwardly focused cognitive style links mental imagery and mental health. Heliyon, 12(2), e44433. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e44433

recently

Reference

Comparing the characteristics of hallucinations and mental imagery: a large cross-sectional study in the general population

Researchers found that hallucinations and involuntary imagery share features but differ in vividness, agency, and distress. This supports a shared experiential continuum, helping to distinguish normal from pathological inner experiences.

Pepin, G., Lœvenbruck, H., Chauvin, A., Jacquet, C., Eichenlaub, J.-B., & Bortolon, C. (2026). Comparing the characteristics of hallucinations and mental imagery: a large cross-sectional study in the general population. Consciousness and Cognition, 137, 103974. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2025.103974

recently

Reference

Varieties of aphantasia

Aphantasia is a heterogeneous condition with distinct subtypes involving voluntary imagery, sensory modalities, and spatial versus object details. This diversity suggests that monolithic definitions hinder accurate diagnosis and research.

Nanay, B. (2025). Varieties of aphantasia. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 29(11), 965–966. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2025.06.008

recently

Video

The Body-Mind Disconnect: How Your Autonomic Nervous System Shapes Mental Imagery

What if the key to understanding mental imagery differences isn't in your brain's visual centers? New research reveals why your ability to visualize may depend on something unexpected: how well you sense your own body.

recently

Reference

A decade of aphantasia research – and still going!

A decade of research shows aphantasia is a heterogeneous condition with five dimensions of variation, including sensory reach and spatial imagery. This suggests it is a diverse spectrum of abstract rather than experiential cognitive styles.

Zeman, A. (2025). A decade of aphantasia research – and still going!. Neuropsychologia, 219, 109278. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2025.109278

recently

Reference

Mental imagery, predictive processing, aphantasia, and the interaction between philosophy and cognitive science: Responses to Amy Kind, Christian Scholz, and Neil Van Leeuwen

Aphantasia is not a monolithic condition, as many individuals retain involuntary imagery like dreams despite lacking voluntary control. This suggests that mental imagery relies on multiple distinct processes that can break down independently.

Nanay, B. (2025). Mental imagery, predictive processing, aphantasia, and the interaction between philosophy and cognitive science: responses to <scp>amy kind</scp>, <scp>christian scholz</scp>, and <scp>neil van leeuwen</scp>. Mind & Language, 40(3), 333–340. doi:10.1111/mila.12561

recently

aphantasia definition, aphantasia definitions

Article

Expanding Aphantasia Definition: Researchers Propose New Boundaries

Researchers expand aphantasia definition beyond "inability to visualize." This broader framework impacts how we understand and identify with the condition.

recentlyby Tom Ebeyer and

Article

Intrusive Thoughts Without Imagery

People with aphantasia can’t visualize, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have intrusive thoughts. Intrusive thoughts without imagery can be a whole-body, terrifying experience.

recentlyby Liana Scott

Article

Impact of Aphantasia on the Reading Experience

Does aphantasia impact the reading experience? Exploring the relationship between reading preferences and mental imagery.

recentlyby Rosina Williams

Article

Hypnopompia: Between Sleep and Awake Where Someone with Aphantasia May “See” Imagery

On rare occasions in the morning, between sleep and awake, when the images from my dreams float behind my eyes, that’s when I revel in what it must be like to “see” imagery.

recentlyby Liana Scott

Article

Pseudo-Hallucinations and Aphantasia

Ganzflicker is known to elicit the experience of pseudo-hallucinations... But how is it that some people see complex hallucinations such as "old stone castles"?

recentlyby Reshanne Reeder

Article

Do Aphantasic Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Discovering I have aphantasia at 46 was a revelation. How one aphantasic's journey led to serendipitous discoveries and unconventional paths.

recentlyby Rob B

You've reached the end of content in the involuntary imagery topic.