Visual Aphantasia
Visual aphantasia is the most common form of aphantasia, characterized by the inability to create voluntary mental images - an 'image-free imagination' or absence of the 'mind's eye.' Individuals with visual aphantasia cannot visualize objects, people, or scenes, though they fully understand and recognize them. Studies suggest that many with visual aphantasia also experience reduced imagery in other senses, indicating a higher likelihood of multisensory aphantasia. Like other forms, visual aphantasia can be congenital (present from birth) or acquired. While it affects visual imagination, it doesn't impair creativity, memory, learning or general cognition - rather, it represents a different way of processing visual information. On this page, you'll find aphantasia research, personal stories, and community discussions about visual aphantasia.
Unsupervised clustering reveals spatial and verbal cognitive profiles in aphantasia and typical imagery
Individuals with aphantasia, who cannot visualize images, show diverse cognitive profiles. While they generally perform similarly to those with typical imagery, some rely more on verbal processing, while others excel in spatial tasks. This study highlights the complexity of mental representation, suggesting a spectrum of cognitive styles beyond just visual imagery.
Delem, M., Turkben, S., Cavalli, E., Cousineau, D., & Plancher, G. (2025). Unsupervised clustering reveals spatial and verbal cognitive profiles in aphantasia and typical imagery. Neuropsychologia, 219, 109279. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2025.109279
Rethinking Mental Imagery: Why Scientists Had It Wrong (And Why That's Good News)
For decades, neuroscientists assumed they understood mental imagery. Then people with aphantasia proved them wrong—and changed the future of consciousness research.
A Case of Aphantasia
A Case of Aphantasia is a piece of soft science fiction about a man who’s aphantasia is cured in therapy with a fictional technology. That cure comes at a deep cost. This is the first fictional story ever written on aphantasia.
“Unseen strategies” what can the experience of Aphantasia teach us about cognitive strategies in memory?
Participants with Aphantasia shared their experiences of lacking mental imagery, discovering their limitations in visual and auditory forms. Many were unaware of these deficits until learning about Aphantasia. They often rely on semantic memory and external aids, like notes, to compensate for their memory challenges, highlighting unique cognitive strategies in navigating their daily lives.
Hayes, S. J., Miles, G. E., & Evans, S.-A. (2026). “unseen strategies” what can the experience of aphantasia teach us about cognitive strategies in memory?. New Ideas in Psychology, 80, 101215. doi:/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2025.101215
“I just see nothing. It’s literally just black”: a qualitative investigation into congenital aphantasia
Participants with aphantasia, a condition where they cannot form visual images, shared their experiences of challenges like recognizing faces and recalling memories. They often relied on verbal descriptions and narratives to cope. While some felt frustrated, others found unique strengths in their non-visual thinking, leading to a mix of fascination and emotional impact in their lives.
Pounder, Z., Agosto, G., Mackenzie, J.-M., & Cheshire, A. (2025). “i just see nothing. it’s literally just black”: a qualitative investigation into congenital aphantasia. Cogent Psychology, 12(1). doi:/10.1080/23311908.2025.2574255
A decade of aphantasia research – and still going!
Aphantasia is the inability to visualize images in one's mind. Research suggests it may not be a single condition but has various subtypes. People with aphantasia often navigate life well, possibly relying on unconscious imagery. Understanding aphantasia can provide insights into how mental imagery functions and its role in our thoughts and memories.
Zeman, A. (2025). A decade of aphantasia research – and still going!. Neuropsychologia, 219, 109278. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2025.109278
Why indecisive trials matter: Improving the binocular rivalry imagery priming score for the assessment of aphantasia
A new method for measuring mental imagery strength has been developed, improving on an existing binocular rivalry task. This enhanced approach better predicts individuals' self-reported imagery capacity, especially for those with aphantasia, a condition where people struggle to visualize images. The new scoring system is more reliable and effective for future research.
Monzel, M., Scholz, C. O., Pearson, J., & Reuter, M. (2025). Why indecisive trials matter: improving the binocular rivalry imagery priming score for the assessment of aphantasia. Behavior Research Methods, 57(9). doi:10.3758/s13428-025-02780-6
Thinking in Pictures Isn’t All That: We Are All Beautifully Unique
What was your reaction when you first discovered others were thinking in pictures while you weren't? This jarring revelation led designer Shane Williams on a 25-year journey exploring cognitive differences. His research shows that studying and embracing how differently we all think opens up new worlds of patience, understanding, and acceptance.
Neurodiversity in mental simulation: conceptual but not visual imagery priming modulates perception across the imagery vividness spectrum
Mental imagery varies widely among individuals, from absent to extremely vivid. This study found that while visual imagery priming only works for those who can visualize, conceptual priming—thinking about movement without forming mental pictures—successfully influences perception across the entire imagery spectrum. These findings challenge the view that visual imagery is essential for internal mental simulation, suggesting people use diverse cognitive strategies that are equally valid rather than deficient.
Welker, Á., Pető-Plaszkó, O., Verebélyi, L., Gombos, F., Winkler, I., & Kovács, I. (2025). Neurodiversity in mental simulation: conceptual but not visual imagery priming modulates perception across the imagery vividness spectrum. Scientific Reports, 15(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-025-05100-2
Absence of shared representation in the visual cortex challenges unconscious imagery in aphantasia
Scholz, C. O., Monzel, M., & Liu, J. (2025). Absence of shared representation in the visual cortex challenges unconscious imagery in aphantasia. Current Biology, 35(13), R645–R646. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.05.009
I’m an Author With Aphantasia: You, Too, Have the Power to Do Anything You Set Your Mind To
For years, I thought something was wrong with me. While others “pictured” scenes in their minds, I saw nothing. I couldn’t visualize characters or settings, and it left me feeling disconnected—until I learned I had aphantasia.
Beyond words: Examining the role of mental imagery for the Stroop effect by contrasting aphantasics and controls
The Stroop effect, where conflicting color words disrupt cognitive processing, was tested in individuals with aphantasia—who struggle with mental imagery. Results showed a reduced Stroop effect in aphantasics, suggesting that mental imagery interferes with perception. This finding may impact how Stroop tasks are used in psychological assessments.
Monzel, M., Rademacher, J., Krempel, R., & Reuter, M. (2025). Beyond words: examining the role of mental imagery for the stroop effect by contrasting aphantasics and controls. Cognition, 259, 106120. doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2025.106120
The Shape of Things Unseen: Conversation with Dr. Adam Zeman On The New Science of Imagination
What if everything you thought you knew about creativity was wrong? The scientist who discovered aphantasia unveils the "new science of imagination" and explains why visualization might not be essential to human creativity.
Accepting Neurodiversity: The Authentic Path to Inclusion
I used to think of myself as part of the “norm”—someone who wasn’t different. But over time, I began to realize that my dyslexia, my aphantasia, the way I process and express ideas, all pointed to a different kind of mind. Not broken. Not less. Just different. And in embracing that difference, I stopped seeing it as a deficit and started seeing it as a strength. It changed how I teach, how I connect with others, and most importantly, how I see myself.
The Language Problem: How Simple Word Changes Make Therapy Work for Aphantasia
One key barrier to effective anxiety treatment for people with aphantasia isn't the therapy itself—it's the words therapists use. New study reveals that imaginal exposure therapy can be effective for people with aphantasia when therapists adjust their approach.
Mental Health Breakthrough: Aphantasia Does Not Shield Against PTSD
How aphantasia affects mental health treatment, revealing that while aphantasics don't experience visual flashbacks, they still feel emotions intensely, requiring alternative therapeutic approaches beyond traditional imagery-based techniques.
Unconscious Imagery in Aphantasia: Understanding The Scientific Debate
Have you ever described a memory in vivid detail despite seeing nothing in your mind? It raises a fascinating question: could our brains be processing images... we just can't consciously access?
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.
Definition: Aphantasia
This research defines aphantasia—the inability to form mental images in one's mind—and establishes clear terminology for this cognitive variation. The international team of authors provides foundational definitions distinguishing between visual, auditory, and multisensory forms of aphantasia, while also addressing its congenital and acquired origins. Their work is essential for understanding individual differences in mental imagery and advancing scientific study of the diverse ways people experience imagination.
Zeman, A., Monzel, M., Pearson, J., Scholz, C. O., & Simner, J. (2025). Definition: aphantasia. Cortex, 182, 212–213. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2024.07.019
Describing What You Cannot See—A Horror Writer With Aphantasia Explains His Process
As a horror writer with aphantasia, I can’t visualize the creepy skulls I write about. Yet, I still describe vivid scenes by focusing on sounds, smells, and emotions. My imagination doesn’t need visuals to create gripping stories—character depth and atmosphere are my strengths.