If you’re a creative type or someone who enjoys deep thinking, you may have hyperphantasia. But this isn’t the same as eidetic memory, commonly called “photographic memory.”
Those with hyperphantasia can easily visualize things like characters or scenery from a book they’re reading or even pictures taken at a photo shoot.
1. Think of a Red Star
Mental imagery is a powerful ability. It allows us to visualize things we haven’t experienced and also to recall memories in vivid detail. People who can visualize in extreme detail are often good at creative activities, such as art, music, and writing. This ability has been referred to as hyperphantasia.
To test your visualization ability, close your eyes and think of a red star. When you open your eyes, describe what you saw in your mind to a friend. Then, compare what you saw to the chart below to see if you have hyperphantasia.
Hyperphantasia is a rare condition that affects only about 3% of the population. Those who have it are able to visualize not only visual images, but also touch, smell, sound, and taste. They can also imagine things in 360 degrees, including from all directions.
People with hyperphantasia have a vivid memory of past experiences, and they can even visualize text when reading. They can also remember the colors of objects and even recreate them in their mind.
Although scientists don’t know what causes mental imagery to be so vivid, they do believe that it involves multiple regions of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobe. In addition, it is believed to be genetically inherited, meaning that if you have family members who have it, you are likely to have it as well.
2. Close Your Eyes
When imagining an object or scene, a person with hyperphantasia can visualize it in vivid detail. They can also imagine things that aren’t visible, such as textures, tastes, and smells. They can even visualize text when reading, visualizing characters and scenery. This ability is a gift that can help them succeed in school and work. But it can also be a disadvantage when they spend too much time daydreaming and focusing on the wrong things.
People with hyperphantasia can often become over-analytical when making decisions and may find it hard to focus on tasks. However, this ability can also be beneficial when they are trying to solve complex problems or make creative solutions. This is because they can see the possibilities of various outcomes of a decision and analyze multiple options at once.
While scientists don’t know exactly what causes the vividness of mental imagery, they have identified some key areas in the brain that are activated when an image is recalled. This includes the parietal lobe, frontal cortex, and temporal lobe. Scientists believe these regions are responsible for the vividness of a mental image.
3. Think of an Object
For some people, mental images can be very vivid. If you were to close your eyes and think of a piece of fruit, for example, you might be able to picture a whole bunch of details about that specific fruit, like the color, shape, texture, and so on. If you’re able to imagine a lot of detail about an object, you probably have a highly developed imagination.
On the other hand, some people struggle with visual imagery at all. A phenomenon known as aphantasia (also sometimes called mind blindness) is when a person is unable to conjure up an image in their mind. When asked to visualize a serene beach with golden sand and azure waters, for example, people with aphantasia might be able to remember the fact that they’re thinking of such a place but they might not be able to picture it.
The good news is that aphantasia isn’t universal, but it does affect between 1% and 3% of the world’s population. People who do have a heightened ability to visualize, however, are known as hyperphantasics. They often describe themselves as having a vivid imagination and claim that their creativity is enhanced by it. Hyperphantasics can also think of things very quickly, which makes it easier for them to recall and solve problems. In addition, their memories tend to be very accurate.
4. Close Your Eyes Again
The ability to visualize is a natural ability that affects everyone in different ways. It can enhance artistic thinking and memory, as well as help people come up with innovative solutions to problems. However, hyperphantasia can also be a disadvantage as it may lead to an overactive imagination. It can also cause trouble with PTSD and other mental health conditions.
A lot of research on the subject of aphantasia has been based on self-reporting. This is a problem because the results are often subjective and can vary from person to person. For example, someone with aphantasia might say that they can’t remember their mom’s face or see a dog when you mention one. However, other people might describe their mother’s face in vivid detail or think of a specific dog when you mention the word.
For many people, aphantasia is a minor nuisance that doesn’t affect their daily lives much. However, for others, aphantasia can cause them to struggle with work or social situations. It can even make it difficult to understand what other people are saying.
While aphantasia is mainly known as a visual condition, it can actually encompass multiple senses. For example, some people might struggle to imagine the taste of a favorite food or the melody of a song. In this case, they would probably be considered aphantasic. On the other hand, those with hyperphantasia can easily create highly detailed and photorealistic images in their mind’s eye.