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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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>
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
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.
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.
Impact of Aphantasia on the Reading Experience
Does aphantasia impact the reading experience? Exploring the relationship between reading preferences and mental imagery.
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.
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"?
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.
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