The Inability to Picture an Image in Your Mind

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Thas eamea, the inability to picture an image in your mind, only got its name a few years ago. Adam first came across afantasia in two thousand five with a curious medical case. He used to get himself to sleep by imagining places he'd visited and faces of friends and family. But after getting cardia surgery, something changed. The patient was referred to me who his g p said his general sad had lost the ability too to imagine.

Close your eyes and try to imagine an apple. Can you see anything? Aphantasia is the inability to see with your mind’s eye. Since it was discovered, scientists have been asking the question: What is the mind’s eye even for?

This is the fifth episode of our six-part series, Making Sense.

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