Definition of aphantasia (noun, “I fan ti's yer”)
Aphantasia is when individuals cannot visualize images in their minds and instead think in words, numbers, and ideas.
Aphantasia is not considered a disorder but rather a unique way of processing information and recalling memories, with around 4 percent of people experiencing this mindset.
People with aphantasia do not see mental images when asked to imagine something, but can still describe and understand the concept without visualizing it.
Aphantasia can also impact how memories are recalled, as individuals with this trait tend to think in more abstract terms rather than specific visual details.
This lack of mental imagery may extend to other senses, such as hearing, but does not affect the ability to recognize those sensations.
Some creative individuals, like Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull, and scientists, such as Craig Venter, who first sequenced the human genome, have aphantasia and attribute their success to this unique way of thinking.
In summary
Brain scan results from research show that people with aphantasia react differently to sounds compared to those who use mental imagery.
For more information, check out the full list of scientists’ findings.
Source: www.snexplores.org
