52 ms·

What distinguishes a hallucination from a perception of a real thing? I'm hoping it's not simply the criteria of "anything without a rational explanation is a h

What distinguishes a hallucination from a perception of a real thing? I'm hoping it's not simply the criteria of "anything without a rational explanation is a hallucination" Also, if people hallucinated all the time, I'd think there'd be a LOT more accidents on the road!

hosh 8y ago
Ironically, one of the best ways to explore this is through altered states of consciousness, such as through psychedelics, or through various forms of meditation. It's in those altered states that you can experience just how much normal perception results from interpretation layered on top of sensory cues. For example, it is possible to become aware of the exact sensation of pain. The process of trying to pin down pain changes its experience (it often lessens its impact). I have heard that in extreme concentration states, pain can be perceived as discrete pulses of sensation, clearly distinguishing an "echo" that fills in between pulses that makes pain appear to be a continuous sensation. Editing of memories in neurotypical, otherwise functioning members of society happens much more frequently than we care to admit.
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
swiley 8y ago
I definitely hallucinate when I'm tired and force myself to stay awake, some of the most intense and real feeling hallucinations I've had where during long road trips. I have yet to get into an accident yet, I don't know how. I recently drove to Canada, I was stressed and didn't feel like going home so I just kept going and 13 hours later I was being interrogated by 5 guys tearing my car apart looking for drugs because "it's not every day we see someone drive from Virginia to Canada on a whim." I never slept a full night the whole time since I'm a student and can't really afford a hotel, I'd just pull into a gas station when I felt really tired and take a nap. Somewhere around Pennsylvania on the way back I spent about an hour talking to my girlfriend (who was still in Virginia) on and off. Sometimes she would disappear and be replaced with my laptop bag and I'd freak out and think someone had taken her.
penagwin 8y ago
I'm not sure you understand, when they say "everyone hallucinates all the time" they include you and me. Those hallucinations don't have to be "big" or disruptive. A hallucination is where your brains perception doesn't match "reality". Maybe you thought the lights flickered for a brief moment but they didn't, or may you thought you saw a shadow move. The article explains it pretty well, it's very common with things you "expect". Such as your phone vibrating when it isn't, or after watching an insect documentary makes you feel like there's an ant on you (called Formication), or feeling a raindrop when expecting rain (only to realize your skin isn't wet). EDIT: That is to say - hallucinations aren't usually disruptive enough to cause car accidents, most of the time we just kind of "brush it off" so to speak and forget about it.

hosh 8y ago

Ironically, one of the best ways to explore this is through altered states of consciousness, such as through psychedelics, or through various forms of meditation. It's in those altered states that you can experience just how much normal perception results from interpretation layered on top of sensory cues. For example, it is possible to become aware of the exact sensation of pain. The process of trying to pin down pain changes its experience (it often lessens its impact). I have heard that in extreme concentration states, pain can be perceived as discrete pulses of sensation, clearly distinguishing an "echo" that fills in between pulses that makes pain appear to be a continuous sensation. Editing of memories in neurotypical, otherwise functioning members of society happens much more frequently than we care to admit.

deleted 8y ago

[deleted]

swiley 8y ago

I definitely hallucinate when I'm tired and force myself to stay awake, some of the most intense and real feeling hallucinations I've had where during long road trips. I have yet to get into an accident yet, I don't know how. I recently drove to Canada, I was stressed and didn't feel like going home so I just kept going and 13 hours later I was being interrogated by 5 guys tearing my car apart looking for drugs because "it's not every day we see someone drive from Virginia to Canada on a whim." I never slept a full night the whole time since I'm a student and can't really afford a hotel, I'd just pull into a gas station when I felt really tired and take a nap. Somewhere around Pennsylvania on the way back I spent about an hour talking to my girlfriend (who was still in Virginia) on and off. Sometimes she would disappear and be replaced with my laptop bag and I'd freak out and think someone had taken her.

penagwin 8y ago

I'm not sure you understand, when they say "everyone hallucinates all the time" they include you and me. Those hallucinations don't have to be "big" or disruptive. A hallucination is where your brains perception doesn't match "reality". Maybe you thought the lights flickered for a brief moment but they didn't, or may you thought you saw a shadow move. The article explains it pretty well, it's very common with things you "expect". Such as your phone vibrating when it isn't, or after watching an insect documentary makes you feel like there's an ant on you (called Formication), or feeling a raindrop when expecting rain (only to realize your skin isn't wet). EDIT: That is to say - hallucinations aren't usually disruptive enough to cause car accidents, most of the time we just kind of "brush it off" so to speak and forget about it.