Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: organization_club on 22/01/2009 14:30:01

Title: If you are blind, what images does your brain concoct?
Post by: organization_club on 22/01/2009 14:30:01

organization_club  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hello, my question is: if you are blind, what images does your brain concoct?

What do you think?

Title: If you are blind, what images does your brain concoct?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 23/01/2009 05:18:54

I believe if you are blind, you don't 'think' with images or have any need for images.

Title: If you are blind, what images does your brain concoct?
Post by: RD on 23/01/2009 05:45:07

Individuals who were sighted but have become blind can experience phosphene-type hallucinations...

Quote

A phosphene is an entoptic phenomenon characterized by the experience of seeing light without light actually entering the eye. Phosphenes can be directly induced by mechanical, electrical, or magnetic stimulation of the retina or visual cortex as well as by random firing of cells in the visual system. Phosphenes have also been reported by people who go for long periods without visual stimulation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphene

Quote

people [blind since birth] do not report phosphenes, whereas many persons blinded by accident or disease are conscious of phosphenes and indeed find them a source of visual entertainment (Oster 1970:87).

http://www.oubliette.zetnet.co.uk/Three.html

Title: If you are blind, what images does your brain concoct?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 23/01/2009 06:04:04

Wasn't there a podcast about individuals who were sighted but have become blind reporting that they dreamed in colour?