Aphantasia - Seek Out Your Strengths 

I'm in my 60s and had it all my life, I can't miss something I've never experienced.

This really just blew my mind. I was already sure that I have aphantasia, but you described my experience almost exactly. I learn so much better by speaking out loud or reflecting back if I write it out and read it back. I used to think I was weird because most books I read are non fiction. I love to read and reading to learn/gather information is pleasurable. Most people I know can get lost in fantasy and really feel like they are in whatever setting is in their book. My mind completely blanks out and I get bored so easily when it comes to fantasy or fiction. Another advantage we have is that we aren't as plagued by mental imagery when it comes to PTSD or past traumatic events. I still dream and have visuals from that, but during wakeful consciousness there is nothing. It's all words in there.

Thank you for making this video. I just realized that I have no mind's eye. I'm a Mathematician and I'm sure my aphantasia is the reason I love analysis and hate geometry!

Hi! I’ve found out I have aphantasia a while ago and it has answered so many of my questions since I was a kid to now. I also found out that I don’t have an inner monologue, so in my head there is no pictures no sound 👀… people in my surroundings find this hard to believe but oh well…. I love finding more people like me and I definitely want to see other peoples perspective ❤️🤝

I felt all of those things when I discovered I had aphantasia. I never realised other people saw actual pictures in their minds, I thought it was just a figure of speech. I feel almost disabled by this knowledge but it explains a lot….my lifelong complete lack of sense of direction, my inability to do mental maths. My inability to remember places I’ve been and people I’ve met. The only way I learn or remember is by constant repetition. I’m still processing this as it’s a recent discovery for me.

Thank you.

I don't feel disabled or discouraged. I have a memory that almost frightens(in words) people. If I saw your face 10 years ago for a couple of minutes I can tell you where I saw you and where I saw you without being able to visualise your face. Also if I had a disagreement with you five years ago I can tell you word for word what the discussion between us was all about.

Not having a picture image of something makes it more flexible and easier to see options/alternatives. I can still easily imagine things in detail, just without an image, and this seems like a positive thing to me.

How is it so rare if I have it? I don’t think I want to get rid of this. I move on fast, and I am hardly ever sad. I don’t get lonely, and I don’t miss the dead.

Dude you just changed my life! I only found out about this half a day ago and your vid leveled the rollercoaster I've been on since and I now have a much greater understanding and appreciation of how and why my brain works! I'm 40 years old and from now until the end of time you have my thanks! I look forward to seeing what I am capable of achieving with this new knowledge and experience! Thank you again!😁👍🤯

Just found out today. Still shocked people actually see vivid images when they close their eyes.

Wonderful video and topic! My partner and I (both aphants) are right there with you on many of the benefits you discussed. I look forward to more content from you!

I realized I had aphantasia but I also don’t have an inner monologue so it’s kinda crazy. but a little superpower i have is with music more specifically piano i can hear songs and chords and dissect all the notes and chords in my mind. I also haven’t been musically trained. I wouldn’t say i’m grateful for aphantasia but i definitely don’t see it as a disability

Great video and message. I'll definitely be heading to the website! Since learning about aphantasia and that I have it I have begun down a road of understanding my mind and myself so much more. I also have no internal dialogue. Learning these things, and being prompted to think about the way i think has been very enriching!

Thank you very much for this video. I absolutely see myself in what you discuss. I can definitely confirm the thinking by first principles.

Thank you very much. I'm convinced it is more advantageous than not. Excited for further research in the coming years.

I found out about my Aphantasia less than a week ago, im amazed how quickly i've been able to change my mindset from being almost broken knowing i cannot visualize and how its effected my memory and caused some identity issues for me. Yet just days later after seeking out positive viewpoints and focusing on how it has/can/will benefit me. I feel almost redfined knowing I can work to my strengths after unconvering my blind spot *da dum tss*

Great video. Thank you so much.

Hi, I'm aphantasic with adhd and no inner monolog. I have to assume my gift took a literary form. I started reading at a very young age. I have an extensive vocabulary in multiple languages. One of my favorite areas of study is etymology. As I deepen my understanding of it, I'm more easily able to decipher writing in unfamiliar languages.

If this adds anything, i have hyperphantasia . I actually have such a vivid and overly active imagination that it interferes with my ability to focus on a given task, i actually have serious trouble keeping my mind honed into a problem or point of focus because of it's proclivity to rocket off and start imagining different situations, and images. I couldn't do well in a classroom because i would spend 95% of my time day dreaming of other worlds and hypothetical situations. I can superimpose very easy though, i can build whole schematics and draw out logic trees with images, but i CANNOT stop my mind from wondering and spasming off into wonderland, it's made school very very difficult for me, particularly math .

I don’t think it’s rare, I think people just aren’t aware they have it and it isn’t well studied. I can’t see shit in my mind by the way

In the movie, The Miracle Worker, with Patty Duke as Helen Keller, she was having rapid finger movements/sign language, during her dream sleep, rather than Rapid Eye Movements (REM).

I didn't realize that there was a name for how I "vizualize" until a few years ago in my late 50s. Now in my early 60s, I explain it as "cerebral." I know what my parents who have passed look like. I know what an apple is. But... I cannot bring up an image or the sense of touch, etc. When decorating, I have to take things back to the store often because they don't work in the space like I imagine. And, I don't even try to choose a paint color without trying a huge swatch or getting others thoughts. I know what I like, but it may not work in the space. However on the other hand, I see pictures in clouds and nature very easily and have very vivid dreams. I can also describe things fairly well. But again, it's "cerebral." I'm working on noticing fine details and using all my senses... hoping it will help with writing and trying to draw, etc. Another interesting thing is that I am able to come up with solutions to problems with random items like creating Rube Goldberg contraptions. That is... if given the items. In general, not creating from nothing. I can even come up with new uses for items. But, I taught "gifted" students and have seen my own "creativity" strengthened. I do wish that I could truly visualize/see in detail. It's interesting the spectrum that exists.

good shit.the best way to view the mind

Of all of my mental…. “Deficiencies” having aphantasia isn’t one that I feel sad about lol.

i found out i have aphantasia after trying to practice a book of Franz Bardon Initiation into Hermetics and my inability to do the visualization exercises even for 1-2 seconds. on the other hand the meditations where i can keep a void black screen were much easier even though for the avg person its harder. its time we understand our strengths from our ability to more easily keep a clear mind.

I can not bring up the website. Anyone else having a problem?

your website doesn't seem to connect!!

Has anyone with Aphantasia tried DMT? I’d love to do a study as it had no visualization effect from my experiences.

Why did you dissappear?