/popdiaries/media/media_files/2025/04/15/OddaSGq2t0BUSItLF5Br.jpg)
Aphantasia is a neurological condition where a person is not able to visualize mental images. This means they don't see pictures in their mind, just like most people. The term "aphantasia" was introduced by Sir Francis Galton in 1880 & later popularized by cognitive neurologist Adam Zeman in 2015.
People with aphantasia may not be able to figure out images of their childhood, favorite places, or even simple objects. They may rely more heavily on verbal or logical thinking. Aphantasia can vary in severity, and some people might have problems visualizing certain types of images but not others.
Research suggests that aphantasia might be due to differences in brain function or structure, especially in areas responsible for visual processing & imagination. While aphantasia is not seen as a disorder or disability, understanding it can provide insights into the complex nature of human cognition and imagination. By studying aphantasia, scientists can gain a better understanding of how our brains process & generate mental images. This theory can have implications for some fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and education.